C-5 workers take to sky Published June 22, 2004 By Lisa Mathews Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- A group of C-5 Galaxy production workers recently took to the sky to become more familiar with the huge aircraft they work on every day.The flight was the first of a series of familiarization flights maintenance officials have scheduled to show workers how important their jobs are.“The organization feels that familiarization flights will motivate and increase each individual’s understanding of the Air Force mission,” said David Mann, C-5 production section chief. “Familiarization flights will continue on a regular basis in the future in hopes that all C-5 team members get an opportunity to participate.”The first group to fly was the branch’s monthly award winners. A random drawing process will be used to choose future passengers. “Everybody has a small piece of the puzzle,” said Master Sgt. Louis Rigney, a flight engineer with the 339th Flight Test Squadron who was a host and tour guide for the group. “(With the flight) they can see how it fits together. The end result is that this plane is flying home to Travis Air Force Base, Calif.”Passengers on this inaugural flight said they were excited about their chance to fly in the huge aircraft.“We don’t get to see this side of it,” said Sheriann Tilly, a management assistant, referring to the performance of the C-5 in flight.“It was a good deal to get to see what the final product can do; we got to see how it all fits together," said Michael Cranford, a hydraulic mechanic. Col. George Ireland, branch chief, and Steve Tomblin, deputy chief, greeted the passengers on their return here.“The men and women who work on the C-5 have done an outstanding job of producing quality aircraft on or ahead of schedule so that our warfighters can do their mission,” Mr. Tomblin said. “This is one way of saying ‘thank you for a great job C-5s.’”