Dover welcomes 13th C-5M Super Galaxy

by Roland Balik
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/21/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  -- Team Dover received its 13th C-5M Super Galaxy, tail number 85-0004 on November 21, 2013, at approximately 12:37 p.m.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Merchant, Director, Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., officially delivered the aircraft to Dover.

"It is an incredible airplane," said Maj. Gen. Merchant. "The reliability improvements that we are putting on the airplane will pay off in terms of availability of the airplanes to the fleet and improve our abilities to meet mission needs."

An aircrew from the 9th Airlift Squadron departed for Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga., to pick up the aircraft and flew the one hour and 40 minutes to Dover AFB.

Maj. Gen. Merchant presented the ceremonial aircraft key to Orlando, Fla., native Staff Sgt. Justin Rojas, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief for 85-0004.

"It is a great honor," said Rojas. "Crew chiefs work really hard every day to keep these airplanes in the air, delivering cargo to where it is needed. Just seeing those jets take off from Dover is a reward in itself for our work, but to have my own airplane is a huge honor."

Rojas was nominated by his supervision and approved by Lt. Col. Andrew Levien, 436 AMXS commander for two primary reasons.

"His knowledge of the C-5M is remarkable and he is very motivated to ensure his aircraft is the pride of the fleet," said Levien. "These two traits (knowledge and motivation) are key to being a successful dedicated crew chief and I am excited to give Staff Sgt. Rojas that 'ownership' opportunity."

As the ninth C-5B model built, 85-0004 was one of 52 C-5 Galaxys scheduled to be upgraded to a C-5M Super Galaxy by 2017. As part of the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, the Super Galaxy features over 70 upgrades, including four General Electric Aviation CF6-80C2 engines, a modernized digital cockpit, communications, enhanced navigation and safety equipment, and an all-weather flight control system. At this time, Dover AFB is the only base with an active C-5M fleet.

Originally a "B" model, this aircraft entered service and was delivered to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in December 1986. After approximately 18,000 airframe hours, 85-0004 was placed in the RERP in November 2011 for almost two years.

The aircraft will undergo a major isochronal maintenance inspection lasting approximately 50 days, then will fly to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y., to enter a 30-day C-5M refurbishment program and will return to Dover AFB upon completion. The Super Galaxy will be ready for its first operational mission around March 2014.

Rojas marshaled the Super Galaxy to its parking spot on the flightline.

"I felt proud," said Rojas. "Knowing that it was mine and seeing it fly by and land on the runway was a proud moment."

Dover AFB will be home to 18 C-5Ms and is expected to receive its last Super Galaxy in February 2014.

Aircrew members from the 9th AS were Maj. Kenneth Dixon, aircraft commander; Capts. Phillip Amrine and Brandon Nance, both copilots; Tech. Sgt. Waldell Graves and Staff Sgt. Alexis Miller, both flight engineers; and Master Sgt. Justin Hodges, loadmaster.