105th Airlift Wing marks end of C-5M aircraft refurbishment project on Thursday, Nov. 1

Media Advisory

Related Media

A C-5M Galaxy being refurbished at the 105th Airlift Wing in 2016.

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE (10/31/2018) (readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing will celebrate the completion of the C-5M refurbishment program which the wing began in 2010 with a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Under the program, wing members redid the interiors of C-5s which were upgraded to the more modern M model with new engines, and modifications to the airframe, flight controls, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.

Members of the press are invited to cover the event.

WHO: Members and retired members of the 105th Airlift Wing and the local community representatives.

WHAT: October 2018, marks the completion of the 52nd and last C-5M Super Galaxy refurbishment. This brings the eight year project to an end. The wing's involvement saved the Air Force an estimated $45.5 million dollars.

The 105th Airlift Wing team developed strategic and evolving process improvement strategies within existing manpower and facilities to streamline a labor-intensive tasking that resulted in various acknowledgements, awards and innovation citations from the Air Force.

WHEN: 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1. Members of the media can tour the last C-5M being upgraded at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, N.Y.

Reporters wishing to attend the event MUST send an e-mail or call Master Sgt. Sara Pastorello prior to close of business 10-31-18 and must provide e-mail address as well as driver license number and state of issue for each representative For more information contact the 105th Public Affairs office at 845-563-2075

Coverage Opportunities:

Video and photo of the event. There will be opportunities to interview both wing and state leadership as well as maintainers on the topics of C-5M, Refurbishment and project completion.

BACKGROUND

On September 20 2010 , the U.S. Air Force's first C-5M Super Galaxy, a modernized version of the legacy C-5A airlifters flown by the 105AW, will at Stewart Air National Guard Base to be reconditioned inside and out by members of the 105th Maintenance Group and other supporting organizations.

As the Lockheed Martin converted C-5 B aircraft to the C-5M standard, the modernized aircraft were flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base to have the interior of the aircraft refurbished and standardized by members of the wing.

The changes to the aircraft involved 70 modifications which included new, more powerful engines and an updated cockpit. The C-5M can carry 120,000 pounds of cargo more than 5,500 miles and is the largest aircraft flown by the U.S. Air Force.

The C-5A version of the plane began flying in 1970.

The 105th Airlift Wing flew the C-5 Galaxy from 1985 until 2012 when the wing began flying the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.