TRANSCOM commander returns jet to the fleet

by Capt. Ryan Fortney
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- After being gone for nearly three years, P-189, a C-17 Globemaster III, was returned to Air Mobility Command's C-17 fleet Oct. 15, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

General Paul Selva, U.S. Transportation Command commander, returned the newly repaired C-17 to JB Charleston where it will once again fly as part of the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings.

The aircraft sustained major damage in Afghanistan in 2012, after it slid off the end of an icy runway.  In order to return P-189to the fleet, Boeing employees were sent there to assist in repair efforts which required more than 27,000 man hours and 127 major repair jobs utilizing more than 1,200 parts. The aircraft was then flown to the United States for continued repairs. Since the plane couldn't be pressurized, Boeing personnel flew the aircraft at a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet on a trip requiring five stops over the course of six days.

Once back in the United States at the Long Beach Depot Center, Calif., an additional 23,000 parts and more than 1,200 repair dispositions were required during a two-year span to complete the repairs.

"It is a magnificent testimony to innovation and creativity and to the teamwork between our Air Force, our Air Force maintainers and the artisans at Boeing that literally hand-built this airplane again," said Selva as he addressed base leadership, community representatives and crewmembers.

The aircrew took delivery of the C-17 from Boeing in Long Beach.

In addition to Selva, the aircrew included Col. Johnny Lamontagne, 437th Airlift Wing commander, Maj. Stephen Lee, 14th Airlift Squadron, Capt. Erica Stooksbury, 15th Airlift Squadron, Capt. Christopher Prentiss, 16th Airlift Squadron, Senior Airman Daniel Butler, 17th Airlift Squadron, Airman 1st  Class Cory Dye, 17th AS and Staff Sgt. Travis Boyles, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"It is great to have P-189 back home in Charleston," said Lamontagne.  "We appreciate all the hard work Boeing put into this aircraft and we look forward to getting it back into the fight."