STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE , N.Y. - The first C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, landed at Stewart Air National Guard base Monday. The C-17 is one of eight the 105th Wing is scheduled to receive as the unit phases out its C-5A Galaxy aircraft.
Air Force officials announced the final basing decision in March following an environmental assessment and selected Stewart Air National Guard Base to receive the fleet of C-17s. The 105th is scheduled to have all eight by May 2012, officially converting their C-5 Galaxy operating mission to the Air Force's newest airlifter.
The C-17 Globemaster III 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 deployment areas.
The aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
The twelve C-5s currently assigned to Stewart will eventually be retired. The 105th Wing has operated the C-5As for strategic cargo missions around the world since 1985.
The wing will officially mark the transition from the C-5 to the C-17 with a ceremony scheduled for Aug. 6.