NEWBURGH, N.Y. - Air Force officials announced the final basing decision today selecting Stewart Air National Guard Base to receive eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs converting their C-5 Galaxy operating mission to the Air Force's newest airlifter.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the Air Force decision to base the Air Force's most modern cargo plane at Stewart Air National Guard Base, replacing the 1970s-era C-5A Galaxy aircraft the wing has been operating.
"This is good news for the Hudson Valley, since the stationing of more modern, capable aircraft at Stewart ensures that the base, which employs more 600 members of the New York Air National Guard on a daily basis, continues its critical role well into the future," Cuomo said.
A total of 1,346 Airmen – full-time and traditional part-time Air National Guardmembers – are assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at the base.
Air Force officials announced the final basing decision today following an environmental assessment.
The first two aircraft will arrive at the base in July 2011. The unit will also receive training and test equipment this summer and continue training maintenance and aircrews until all eight C-17s are in place by May 2012.
"The leadership of the New York Air National Guard and the New York National Guard, as well as elected leaders, have been working towards this for several years," said Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, adjutant general.
"Today's decision ensures that our Air National Guard will be equipped with the most modern airlifter available, allowing the 105th Airlift Wing to play a key role in our nation's defense for years to come."
"The members of the 105th Airlift Wing are extremely excited about our selection to base C-17s here at Stewart, " said Air Force Brig. Gen. Verle L. Johnston Jr., commander of the 105th Airlift Wing. "This is a tribute to the demonstrated skill, dedication and technical ability of our Airmen and women."
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz announced Stewart as the preferred alternative for C-17 basing Nov. 16, 2010. Today's announcement is the next step in the process.
Along with the basing action, 12 C-5s assigned to Stewart ANGB will be retired.
The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. It is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The C-17's performance improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
Stewart's C-17 unit is scheduled to reach initial operating capability by December 2013.