C-5 cover serves as a reminder of 22nd AS resolve

Published March 29, 2012
By Tyler Grimes
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- There are many keepsakes people collect to remember their past - from a home run ball hit by their favorite player to a high school class ring. For Airmen in the 22nd Airlift Squadron, an engine cover from a C-5 Galaxy reminds them of a fateful day in their unit's past.

On Jan. 8, 2004, a Travis C-5 was transporting Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division out of Baghdad when the aircraft was hit by a surface to air missile strike.

"The missile destroyed the number four engine upon impact," said Lt. Col. Zachary Zeiner, 22nd AS commander.

This was the first time that a C-5 aircraft had been struck by this type of attack, he said.

Zeiner, who was the aircraft commander, recalls with awe how his Airmen worked together to land the plane safely.

With no time to spare, the crew of 11 Airmen and 52 combat troops sprang into action to make an emergency landing. The Airmen quickly turned off the damaged engine, assessed the condition of the passengers and called in their situation to ground forces.
With this information, the boots on the ground were able to apprehend the suspected insurgents.

"The incident validates our training, preparedness and resolve when faced with adversity," Zeiner said. "We train for this exact scenario and while we all hope the day will never come when we will be called upon to perform while under this situation, it is comforting to know that we are all prepared to deal with the complexities of combat."

For his actions, Zeiner received the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is awarded for outstanding efforts while participating in an aerial flight or acts of heroism according to the DFC Society's website.

The cover, or cowling, from the C-5 was signed by the 11 crewmembers. The cowling has been on display in the squadron since 2004.

"The cowling hangs on the wall as a reminder that nothing we do is routine, this could be any crew on any given day," Zeiner said. "It is comforting to know we are the best trained and prepared crews on the planet and we're ready to serve if our nation calls."