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3rd AS flies last C-5 mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James Wilkinson
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than three decades of airlift history and tradition will come to a conclusion this week when members from the 3rd Airlift Squadron return from the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility upon completion the squadron's final C-5 mission.

The unusually large crew of 20 departed Dover Air Force Base March 4 on a mission to provide continuous support to warfighters in the AOR by delivering more than 30 mission essential passengers and 24 pallets of supplies, weighing more than 124,000 pounds.

Aside from the large crew of remaining squadron members onboard, the mission was business as usual, having both a real-world mission to complete and qualifications to maintain.

"Even on our fini-flight, we're getting a lot of training done," said Tech. Sgt. Mike Fischer, 3rd AS flight engineer evaluator. "On this mission, we're conducting check rides (positional evaluations) for two flight engineers, two loadmasters and one pilot."

Although this was the final C-5 mission, the 3rd AS will carry on with its expected new weapons system - the C-17 Globemaster III. Since C-17s do not have a flight engineer position, this was also the last flight engineer mission for the squadron.

"This mission is the end of an era - just like when the 3rd Airlift Squadron transitioned from C-141 Starlifters to C-5 Galaxies (in 1970), it's the dawning of a new era with C-17 Globemaster IIIs," said Master Sgt. Darren Strange, 3rd AS loadmaster assistant superintendent.

More than 25 C-5 flight engineers and 48 C-5 loadmasters will be reassigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron, according to Lt. Col. Kevin Webb, 3rd AS commander. The squadron's pilots will either be reassigned to the 9th AS or receive new assignments. Other squadron members may go to C-17 school and return to the squadron or change duty stations.

"I am glad to see new generation aircraft like the C-17 coming online to meet our national interest, but also saddened to see a true workhorse like the C-5 no longer a part of our squadron," said Lt. Col. Patrick Miller, 3rd AS director of operations whose two tours net seven years with the squadron. "The C-5 will remain at Dover for a long time to come and with C-17s arriving soon at Dover, they will both provide a synergy that will meet our Nation's requests with greater velocity and options."

The C-17 will give Team Dover an added capacity.

"Encompassing the C-17 into the 3rd gives Dover a true airlift team in the dynamic world environment," said Capt. Paul Scambos, 436th Operations Support Squadron C-17 tactics chief. "The C-17 will allow the 3rd Airlift Squadron to operate with outsized cargo and passengers alike into areas and airfields around the world that are not capable of handling the C-5. This gives the Dover Team the ability to move anything, at anytime, to any place on earth."

According to Colonel Miller, the 3rd AS is already shifting into high gear for the C-17 transition by clearing its programs of C-5 material and building upon C-17 programs. C-17 pilots and loadmasters have already started reporting in to the 3rd AS from other bases.

The transition comes bittersweet for some squadron members and brings back a lot of memories of their time served in the 3rd AS.

"I began my military career and have been involved in two wars and multiple humanitarian missions with this squadron," said Sergeant Strange, who nets 14 years assigned to the squadron over two tours. "I literally grew up here."

Many others have "grown up" with the 3rd, including the squadron member with the highest tenure, Master Sgt. Dexter Joseph, 3rd AS flight engineer superintendent, who became a flight engineer for the 3rd AS in 1990 and has been here ever since. He has totaled more than 17 consecutive years assigned to the squadron here.

"From Pakistan and Iran earthquake relief, hurricane relief to the Gulf Coast, combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom to the three-engine ferry flight from the combat zone (the first three-engine takeoff and transport of a battle-damaged C-5), nothing is more memorable than the unwavering dedication and work ethic from the men and women of the 3rd Airlift Squadron," said Colonel Miller.

Since C-5 Galaxies have been operational, the 3rd AS has been flying them tirelessly around the world, from the arctic regions of Northern Greenland to the southern areas of New Zealand and every continent in between - until the legacy came to a close this week.

But this is far from the end for the squadron that boasts the proud motto "Third but First!"

"In 1970, the 3rd Airlift Squadron (then located at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and three years later moved to Dover AFB) was the first active duty squadron to receive C-5s," said Colonel Webb while concluding the squadron's last C-5 mission briefing. "This is a historic trip, and we're opening up a new chapter."