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Dover reservists prepare for C-5M Super Galaxies

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Reservists in the 512th AW have spent a year preparing for the arrival of the first C-5M Super Galaxy.

Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, will land the new and improved transport aircraft here Feb. 9.

In addition to training, Dover's Air Force Reserve flyers and maintainers wrote and validated operating procedures, manuals and technical orders in preparation for flying and fixing the modified C-5.

The C-5M Type One training at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics plant in Marietta, Ga., runs about three weeks and varies for the 709th Airlift Squadron aircrews and 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron mechanics.

Fourteen aircrew members have completed the training since January. The 512th AMXS began sending maintainers to the training in May 2008.

"We learn about the aircraft's upgraded systems and how they operate," said Lt. Col. Mike Semo, manager of the C-5M integration project and chief pilot.

In addition to learning about the aircraft's new engines, upgraded flight controls, hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems, the pilots undergo simulator training before to flying the C-5M.

The maintainers learn how to troubleshoot, operate and repair the updated systems on the aircraft, said Chief Master Sgt. Fred Eason, 512th AMXS maintenance superintendent. After they return to Dover, the mechanics train others in the squadron.

A C-5 undergoes two upgrades before becoming a C-5M Super Galaxy.

The first phase is the Aircraft Modernization Program here and at Travis AFB, Calif. The aircraft receives a modernized glass cockpit and avionics upgrade, featuring a digital all-weather flight control system and autopilot, a new communications suite, flat panel displays, and enhanced navigation and safety equipment.

The second upgrade is the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program at the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, Ga. This program replaces the old engines with quieter and more powerful General Electric CF-6 engines. The aircraft also undergoes 55 system and equipment improvements to increase the C-5's reliability. Some of the modifications include improvements to the airframe structure, flight controls, and hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems.

Because of their experience with the AMP and flying the C-5, Air Force Reserve aircrew members and maintainers have established many of the written procedures and training requirements for the modernized airlifter, said Chief Master Sgt. Donald Cunningham, who underwent Type One training and is part of the team overseeing AMP and RERP modifications at Dover. He has worked on the C-5M project for two years.

Ten aircraft maintainers from the Air Force Reserve unit have gone to the Marietta plant for training and to verify and validate technical orders for the C-5 M.

"For every task there is a technical order," said Chief Eason. "By having validated the technical orders and ensuring they are correct, we are not taking mechanics down the wrong road while maintaining the aircraft, which saves time and money and ensures a safe, operational aircraft."

Reservists in the 512th bring a lot of experience to this program, according to Chief Cunningham who has been flying on the C-5 for 30 years and has more than 8,500 flight hours.

"By combining this experience with the 436th Airlift Wing's resources, we will be able to make this project successful," he said. "And, the aircraft will perform and meet the increasing demands for worldwide airlift."

In August, Chief Cunningham flew on the C-5M that's being delivered to Dover AFB and can testify to the aircraft's capabilities.

"It flies like a rocket," he said. "There is so much performance capability now. It can take off on shorter airfields, climb faster, carry more weight, and deliver cargo extreme distances, which all fits into the Air Force's rapid deployment policy."

Dover will receive its second C-5M Feb. 13.

The Air Force Reserve's 709th AS and the active-duty's 9th AS will spend the next six months familiarizing themselves with the C-5M, training on aerial refueling, tactics and maintaining currency, said Colonel Semo.

In August, the C-5Ms are scheduled to begin operational testing and evaluation. All C-5s in the Air Force inventory currently are undergoing AMP modifications.

After the C-5M's at Dover are tested and evaluated, 51 more C-5s are scheduled to undergo the RERP upgrade to complete their conversion to the C-5M Super Galaxy. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)