Spirit of Global Reach lands at Dover

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) --  The Spirit of Global Reach arrived at Dover Air Force Base Feb. 9, putting itself in the history books as Team Dover's first C-5M Super Galaxy.

The Spirit of Global Reach is the first of three C-5Ms Dover will receive for operational testing and evaluation.

"Today we see the fruits of a long-term effort by thousands of personnel to develop an airlifter with greater strategic capability than any of its predecessors," said Col. Manson Morris, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "Dover Air Force Base is now home to a highly skilled total force cadre of professionals who will write the first chapter in the operational history of the super galaxy. We will have an essential role in applying this aircraft during a rigorous period of operational test and evaluation. Dover is privileged to be the lead Air Force base for this task."

The C-5M will provide new capabilities for the Air Force. The aircraft has state-of-the-art engines that produce more than 50,000 pounds of thrust, which allow it to carry 285,000 pounds of cargo.

"This aircraft is capable of a significantly shorter take offs than the previous aircraft," said Lt. Col. Mike Semo, 709th Airlift Squadron C-5M Program Office chief. "We are able to take more cargo, farther distances with greater reliability. They've also vastly improved to a glass cockpit which results in greater situational awareness for the pilots. There are upgrades to navigation, safety equipment, communications and a new autopilot system. This really is a modern aircraft for a modern Air Force."

"The new C-5M looks like the same airplane, but it is approximately 10 percent more reliable," said Lt. Col. Tom Loper, 436th Operations Group C-5M project integration office. "The C-5M addressed just about every system on the airplane to increase reliability. It looks the same but it has more thrust so it can climb higher, faster and carry more cargo."

Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, delivered the Spirit of Global Reach to Dover.

"Today, we get to add a new all star to the Dover team lineup, the C-5M Super Galaxy," said General Lichte. "We're not closing the book on the C-5, we're simply starting a new chapter with the delivery of this wonderful aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy."

"All the men and women who have flown, maintained or supported the C-5 here at Dover have enhanced this wings legacy and carried the load with honor delivering hope to those in need all over the globe, and they have done that for over three decades with tremendous pride," said General Lichte.

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