C-17 Hangar Dedication

Since l9l8 the defense of our country has taken flight from March Air Base. The dedication of the C-17 Hangar at March Air Reserve Base, marks an important milestone at this historic airfield. The state of the art Hangar which was dedicated on Wednesday, 1 of June 2005, will provide maintenance crews for a modern updated facility in order to keep these sophisticated cargo planes safe in the air.

From the ceremony podium, facts about the C-17, were shared with the VIP’s and March Air Reserve Base personnel by Brig. Gen. Rubeor and Congressman Ken Calvert.

The C-17 is the newest airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force’s inventory. The C-17 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 maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds, and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds. With a payload of 130,000 pounds of an initial cruise altitude of 28, 000 feet, the C-17 has an unrefueled range of approximately 5,2000 nautical miles. Its cruise speed is approximately 450 knots. ( mach .77)

The design of this aircraft lets it operate on small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,000 feet and as narrow as 90 feet wide. Even on such narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around by using its backing capacity while performing a three-point star turn. Maximum use has been made of off-the-shelf and commercial equipment, including Air Force standardized avionics.

In August, eight C-17 Cargo planes will be flown into March Air Reserve Base, piloted by 8 Four Star Generals. This event will be open to the public and Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to attend.

In addition to these eight C-17 Cargo planes that will be arriving at March Air Reserve Base, an additional 42 more C-17’s will be deployed nationwide.

Congressman Calvert said, ‘the C-17 does the heavy lifting for the Air Service and will be able to deliver Marines in short notice, which will make America safer. Subsequently, March Air Reserve Base will play a vital roll in our near future’

Members of CAP’s Squadron 45, which is based at March Air Reserve Base provided ground support for the dedication ceremony. At 8:AM Seniors and Cadets directed the parking for the VIP guests and for members of the media. Following the formal dedication service, all the members assisted in serving the guests refreshments. Finished with their duties, the Squadron members were able to take a tour of the C-17. The favorite place to visit was up a flight of 8 stairs and forward into the cockpit. Once there, anyone could sit in the pilot’s seat. The two pilots present explained the instrument panels and suggested that the C-17 was ‘one of the easiest planes to fly in the Air Force’.

Senior Members present were: Commander Black Jessica, Lt. Col. Nahrstadt Jack, Capt. Nahrstadt Karen, 1 Lt. Rafferty Tim

1 Lt. Goude David, 1 Lt. Taylor Vicky, SM Bushem, SM Boyko, and SM Eller-Boyko. Cadet Members present were: C/CMSgt. Bushem and Cadets Boyko, Neubauer, Varela, Estrada, Goude, and Smith.

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