The 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, received its first C-37A, boosting US Air Forces in Europe’s capabilities for distinguished visitor travel. The airplane—a military version of the Gulfstream V ultra-long-range business aircraft—arrived from Gulfstream’s facility in Savannah, Ga. It can fly as high as 51,000 feet with a maximum speed of Mach 0.885 and a range of 6,000 miles. It also offers DVs an improved communication system so they may stay connected throughout the flight, according to Ramstein officials. “We currently cannot meet the demand with our aircraft inventory, and this new addition will be a great help,” said Lt. Col. Tom Dowdle, 76th AS standards and evaluations chief. He added, “Our government and military’s senior leaders can fly non-stop from Ramstein to San Francisco, Stuttgart to Johannesburg, or Frankfurt to Beijing.” The 110-person squadron now operates C-21As, C-20Hs, C-40Bs, and, as of Dec. 7, the C-37A. (Ramstein report by SrA. Scott Saldukas)
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.