First of eight C-5s to depart Altus for ANG

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Rich Guinan
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing historian
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Altus Air Force Base A-Team gave a final detailing to aircraft C-5A 00459 prior to its departure from the training program at Altus AFB. Decals were exchanged for those of the West Virginia Air National Guard and the Altus tail flash was replaced by one for the 167th Airlift Wing, Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, W. Va.

The C-5A is the first permanent transfer to an Air National Guard unit as part of the C-5 drawdown at Altus AFB. It is also the first C-5 for the Martinsburg ANG unit. 00459 arrived at Altus AFB on June 9, 2004 and was assigned to the 56th Airlift Squadron.
The departure inspection started on Tuesday and completed in time for the aircraft's departure.

"We're currently training the Air National Guard Martinsburg aircrews at Altus AFB," said Maj. Brent M. Booker, 56th AS commander. "This new tail flash is a symbol of just what's going on in the C-5 community. It's an exciting time as the new C-5 training facility at Lackland AFB, Texas nears completion and we transfer aircraft to three different bases with the logistics of moving parts and equipment."

"A portion of the students entering C-5 training while at Altus AFB have been identified to continue their flying training traing at Lackland. The majority of students will stay here through January, but by July I expect 100 percent of the C-5 training mission to be at Lackland AFB.

"Our A-Team enabled us to be ahead of schedule on the transfer to the West Virginia Air National Guard and the aircraft will be in Martinsburg ahead of the ribbon cutting ceremony."

The C-5A is expected to depart Altus AFB noon, Saturday.