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Travis' two C-5Cs designed to haul special cargo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The only two C-5C Galaxy aircraft in the Air Force call the 22nd Airlift Squadron on Travis Air Force Base home.

The space cargo modified Galaxy's, which are customized to carry satellites and large cargo, routinely support National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other agencies by delivering assets throughout the nation as well as local missions. In some instances the pair of C-5Cs has flown in multiple combat operations, such as Operation Desert Storm.

"Since the U.S. has been launching satellites into space the (Space Canister Modification) bird has been delivering them," said Staff Sgt. Will Harden, 22nd AS evaluator loadmaster. "The cargo hold of the C-5C is designed to mimic the cargo hold of the space shuttle."

The two prior C-5A models were manufactured in 1968 and underwent C-model conversions in 1988 because they both needed to be refurbished.

The difference between other C-5s is that the C-model has had its troop compartment removed and modification to the rear loading doors. The C-5Cs have a larger cargo area than other C-5s as well as two places to plug in external power, one for the aircraft and one for the payload canister.

"We've airlifted multiple satellites for various agencies that have greatly increased the United States' anti-terror and war fighting capabilities," Harden said.

The first flying mission of the C-5C was the transportation of the Hubble Space Telescope and now is scheduled to transport components of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is slated to replace Hubble in the future.

"Since these are the only two C-5C's in the entire Air Force there is zero room for error," said Capt. Alex Criss, 22nd AS operations flight commander. "There is not much difference between flying these C-5s except when landing. This is because the cargo we transport has limitations, thus makes landing a little more difficult than normal."

The Space Container Transportation System is specifically designed for the C-5C. The canister and the walls and ceiling of the aircraft have approximately one inch of clearing.
Loading and unloading the canister requires very slow and precise movements accomplished by the teamwork of six loadmasters.

"We fit cargo that nobody else can," Criss said. "We have a unique mission that only this unit and these two planes can fly."

Both planes have been upgraded with glass flight decks and one is currently undergoing the Avionics Modernization Program by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia.

"At the end of the day they are still C-5s and are combat weapon systems," said Harden. "They can do any other C-5 mission except carry passengers, but are special because of the vital payloads only they can carry."