Sun, Oct 23, 2011
More Direct Path From Delaware To Afghanistan Cuts Flying
Time
Planners at Scott Air Force Base teamed with planners from the
U.S. Transportation Command and the aircrew of a C-5M Super Galaxy
September 25 and 26 to open a new nonstop route from the U.S. to
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The aircrew members and aircraft
originated from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base,
DE.
The flight marked the first time a C-5
has flown this route from the United States East Coast, across the
Atlantic Ocean, then over Europe into Afghanistan, officials said.
The total flight time was less than 14 hours, cutting time off of
traditional routing and eliminating the need for crews to rest
overnight in Germany. The new route also enhances the ability of
air mobility forces to respond worldwide despite challenging
environments including volcanoes, floods, natural disasters or
weather-related diversions.
"This was a huge collaborative effort," said Harold Guckin, the
chief planner for the Contingency Channel Operations Directorate.
"My schedulers worked closely with flight managers from the command
and control directorate, and we all worked tirelessly with the
operations group at Dover (AFB) to get the mission planned."
The success of the flight also required in-flight refueling over
England by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing
at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.
According to Air Force officials, planners at the 618th AOC
(TACC) are constantly looking for innovative solutions that allow
the mobility Air Force to be good stewards of the resources
entrusted to them by the American taxpayer. "The 618th AOC (TACC)
is the hub for mobility operations, said Brig. Gen. Dewey Everhart,
the 618th AOC (TACC) commander. "It is our responsibility to ensure
that those we serve can succeed in their mission. This new route
provides invaluable options and increased flexibility, so air
mobility assets can arrive where they're needed faster and more
efficiently."
ANN Salutes 1st Lt. Marshel Slater, 618th Air and Space
Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) Public
Affairs
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