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04/13/2015: As part of US led Coalition air operations, the F/A-18A Hornets from Number 75 Squadron have replaced the Super Hornets to continue combating the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq.
The incoming F/A-18A Hornet is a single-seat multi-role fighter while the F/A-18F Super Hornet is a two-seater.
In addition to individual Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer hand-overs, all related supporting personnel have been ‘briefed-in’ and are now fully operational.
04/12/2015: U.S. Marines from Landing Support Company, First Transport Support Battalion, execute an external lift during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-15 in a CH-53E Super Stallion at Auxiliary Airfield 2 near Yuma, Ariz., April 03,2015.
WTI is a seven week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1).
MWATS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing Aviation Weapons and Tactics.
04/10/2015: U.S. Marines from VMGR-234, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron, execute a tactical aerial delivery during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Co6rse (WTI) 2-15 in a KC-130J Hercules at Yuma, Ariz., April 10, 2015.
WTI is a seven week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1). MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assist in developing and employing Aviation Weapons and Tactics.
04/08/2015:A C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew from Travis Air Force Base claimed 45 aeronautical records in one flight, positioning the U.S. military’s largest airframe as the world’s top aviation record holder with a total of 86 world records.
The flight from Travis AFB established standards in 45 previously unset categories.
The aircrew achieved records in the Class C-1.T jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 9,000 meters.
The C-5M currently now holds 86 world records, surpassing both the Russian An-225 (73 records) and the United States Air Force B-1B Lancer (83 records).
4/3/2015 – TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — In the early morning hours of April 3, a C-5M Super Galaxy aircrew from Travis Air Force Base, California, put the aircraft’s capabilities to the test.
The eight-person crew, with members of the 60th Air Mobility Wing’s 22nd Airlift Squadron and the 349th AMW’s 312th AS, accomplished their goal of establishing standards in 45 previously unset categories. The aircrew claimed records in the Class C-1.T jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 9,000 meters.
“The successful completion of this mission exemplifies both the great teamwork required by the whole team to keep Travis’ aircraft flying and the fabulous strategic mobility capabilities the C-5M brings our combatant commanders around the world,” said Col. Joel Jackson, 60th AMW commander. “Thanks to everyone who contributed to this powerful showcase of Travis’ culture of excellence.”
Maj. Matt Etlinger, 312th Airlift Squadron pilot, flies over Northern California April 3 in a C-5M Super Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base, California. Etlinger acted as co-pilot for the record-setting flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amber Carter)
The C-5M was loaded with pallets, fuel and the aircrew for a total of 731,220 pounds, including the weight of the plane.
“We took on approximately 265,000 pounds of cargo and our goal was to climb as fast as we could at 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 meters,” said Maj. Jon Flowers, 22nd Airlift Squadron chief of standardization and evaluation and pilot for the flight. “We got up to an altitude of approximately 37,000 feet before we ran out of performance.”
Among the records achieved were altitude in horizontal flight at 37,000 feet, altitude with payload of 265,000 pounds and time it takes to climb at 27.5 minutes.
The Super Galaxy has now unofficially claimed a total of 86 world aeronautical records, surpassing the B-1B Lancer at 83 records.
All records will be certified by the National Aeronautic Association, the nation’s oldest aviation organization. Formal certifications of the C-5M records are expected to take several weeks.
The new ability of the C-5M, when compared to the A, B and C models, to reach speeds at a faster rate, is critical for the Air Force mission.
A C-5M Super Galaxy from the 22nd Airlift Squadron arrives at Travis AFB, California early April 3, 2015. The flight, which lasted approximately one hour, claimed 45 aeronautical records, positioning the U.S. military’s largest airframe as the world’s top aviation record holder with a total of 86 world records. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ken Wright)
“The model before this was performance limited,” Flowers said. “It did not have the climb capability or the cargo capability. The C-5M has been changing the game for the warfighter and tonight we made that point to put the capabilities in the record books.”
From aerial porters to maintainers, active duty and reservists from Team Travis made a joint effort to effectively achieve this goal.
“We’re honored to play a role in this historic demonstration,” said Col. Matthew Burger, 349th AMW commander.
“The new capabilities of the C-5M make America better equipped to the global challenges of the 21st Century.”
In a modernization which did not get a lot of press, the modernization of the C-5 is a major step forward for an airlift fleet under stress.
We wrote about C-5 modernization in a piece on Second Line of Defense published on 1/12/10:
04/8/2015: MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is seen conducting flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima.
The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
04/08/2015: U.S. Marines participating in Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 and infantry officers course, fly in a CH-53E Super Stallion to participate in the Talon Reach V Exercise at Range 220 in Twentynine Palms, Calf., March 27, 2015.
WTI is a seven week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1).
MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical traning and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing Aviation Weapons and Tactics.
04/02/2015:Sailors assigned to Deck Department aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) direct Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1651, assigned to Naval Beach Unit 7, to the well deck.
Bonhomme Richard is currently underway conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
04/01/2015: This buoy tender has reached its 70 year life of service.
The USCG faces a serious recapitalization challenge, notably illustrated by operating a 70 year old ship.
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Bluebell recounts the cutter’s history as part of its 70th anniversary of service celebration in Portland, Ore., March 30-April 3, 2015.
Bluebell crews responded to the Vanport, Ore., flood in 1948, the Mt. Saint Helen’s eruption in 1980, and the sinking of the Davy Crockett barge in 2011.
