Airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 326th Airlift Squadron at Dover AFB, Del., flew their last C-5 flight on March 10. The 326th AS, part of the 512th Airlift Wing, is converting to the C-17 on April 1 and receives its first new airlifter in June. The squadron’s Reservists have flown and maintained the C-5 for 34 years. The C-5s are not leaving Dover, however, since one Reserve (709th AS) and one active (9th AS) squadron still will fly and maintain the mammoth airlifter.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.