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Team Travis welcomes its first C-17 aircraft

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Meredith Mingledorff
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The much anticipated arrival of Team Travis' new C-17, the "Spirit of Solano," took place Aug. 8 at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony began with a flyover of all three major airframes home to Travis Air Force Base, the C-5, KC-10 and now the C-17.

The crowd of 1,800 stood in awe and applauded as Maj. Gen. Thomas Kane, director of Plans and Programs at Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., taxied the aircraft into position.

"To the men and women of Team Travis: what a magnificent day," said General Kane, who was the 60th Air Mobility Wing commander from October 1999 to September 2001. "I have to tell you, you have now reached a very significant milestone in presenting global power and reach into our country and into the world. There are not too many bases that can boast three weapons systems."

The new arrival makes Travis AFB the first and only mobility base to have all three air mobility capabilities. Travis handles more cargo and passengers than any other military air terminal in the United States, and adding the C-17 to its inventory means adding tactical ability as well.

"Travis is critical to demonstrating our nation's air strength and is a leader in our country's engagements abroad," said Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher. "I am proud of our brave Airmen of Team Travis and I know that the arrival of the C-17 will keep Travis Air Force Base as the premier West Coast airlift base."

Getting straight to work, the "Spirit of Solano" is scheduled to fly its first mission to Europe in support of the Global War on Terror, the day after its delivery to Travis, said Col. Michael Shanahan, C-17 Program Office chief.

The aircraft arrived approximately one month ahead of schedule "ready to use, fresh out of the box" a trend Boeing intends to continue, according to Dave Bowman, C-17 Program Manager vice president at Boeing.

The C-17 Globemaster III is capable of carrying approximately 170,000 pounds, internationally and able to land in rough terrain on significantly smaller airfields than the current cargo heavyweights the C-5 and KC-10. This allows quicker movement of equipment and personnel with a smaller military footprint.

"We are proud to add the C-17's tactical prowess to our mobility fleet," said Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th AMW commander. "The technologically advanced airplane provides both the crews and the maintainers the opportunity to operate state-of-the-art equipment as we support our national objectives."

"Our first C-17 will now be showcased around the world," said Col. Robert Millmann, 349th AMW acting commander. "The enormous global reach capabilities emanating from the ramp and runways of Travis become all the more important as we continue to fight our nation's Global War on Terrorism.

"A successful team must beat with one heart," Colonel Millmann went on to explain. "Together the 60th and 349th Air Mobility Wings along with the 615th Contingency Response Wing and 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force will use, support, maintain, and fly this and all future C-17's with determination, pride and professionalism."

The "Spirit of Solano" tail number 66154 is the first of 13 C-17 aircraft to be delivered to Travis AFB. The 301st and 21st Airlift Squadrons aircraft will be fly the aircraft on cargo airlift and medical evacuation missions around the world.

The ceremony closed by recognizing the hard work of Team Travis' maintenance personnel with an aircraft key presentation from General Kane to the men and women of the two aircraft maintenance squadrons now responsible for the care and upkeep of the newest airframe. Accepting keys on behalf of their squadrons were Staff Sgt. Joel Pelletier, 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Master Sgt. Theresa Vanhoose, 945th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Travis, already the largest base in AMC, is truly the future of global mobility, said Colonel Arquiette. "Today, would not have been possible without each and every one of you."