C-17's for Stewart?

[motch]

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS/808050315

So.. anyone out there know any more?

 

[motch]

By Michael Randall
Times Herald-Record
August 05, 2008
STEWART AIRPORT — Those C-5A transport planes that have become a familiar sight — and sound — in the mid-Hudson skies might be phased out in favor of a smaller, quieter transport plane.
The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs is hoping the Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing will be among those the Air Force chooses to begin using the C-17 the next time it buys more of the planes.
Division spokesman Eric Durr said a supplemental budget for defense spending — recently passed by Congress and signed by President Bush — includes money for the Air Force to add to its fleet of C-17 planes. There's no guarantee at this point any of the planes will come to the 105th, based at Stewart International Airport.
"It's still up in the air," Durr said.
However, officials are pushing for the change.
The C-5As generally are 30 to 35 years old; the C-17s first came into wide use in the 1990s. The C-17s are smaller, quieter and, best of all from a military point of view, Durr said, they can land and take off on shorter runways than the larger C-5As, so they can get to places the C-5As can't.
The C-5A planes have plied the skies of Orange and surrounding counties since the 105th moved here from Westchester County in 1985.
They're used primarily to transport large amounts of equipment for military missions, though they also can carry troops. They've also been involved in dozens of humanitarian missions, bringing medical and other relief supplies to victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters.
For now, at least, officials at the 105th are not commenting on the prospect of a change in the unit's aircraft.
"The 105th Airlift Wing will carry out any mission we are assigned, and presently that is the C-5A mission," Lt. Col. John Chianese, the 105th's chief of staff, said in a statement released by the unit's public affairs office.

By Michael Randall
Times Herald-Record
C-5A vs. C-17:

Is smaller better?

C5-A: Wingspan: 222.75 feet; Length: 247.83 feet; Height: 65.08 feet (at tail); Cargo compartment: 143.75 feet long.

C-17: Wingspan: 169.8 feet; Length: 174 feet; Height: 55.1 feet (at tail); Cargo compartment: 68.2 feet long.

Sources: New York Air National Guard (C-5A); Boeing Web site (C-17)

 

[Jafo73]

We've been hearing the same thing at Wright-Patterson for 3-5 years (getting C-17's). Last we heard, congress did approve to buy more, but they haven't been allocated yet. And, none of the higher ups seem to know anything! We have also been told that the next 2 bases to get C-17's would be Stewart and Wright-Patterson... for what that's worth! I'll believe it when I see it on the ramp...

 

[spongebob]

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS/808050315

So.. anyone out there know any more?

What are they going to do with the likes of you...and Gunner and Billy and Avery...etc????

SB

 

[motch]

We are the glue that holds that mess together!

How's that whirly bird of yours doing?

Motch

 

[spongebob]

Loving life in the "heath". Food here sucks but everything is very laid back and easy going. (remember those great layovers at Moldyhall?)

I'm the "old guy" at the unit but what can you do? Not looking forward to going back to the real world to an uncertain future. Should have taken that AGR job back at SWF.

How's life at the airline? Any chance of getting the F word?

SB