Department of Defense

Hickam Air Force Base C-17s start to take shape

By Gina Vanatter (Boeing)

In a colorful ceremony sprinkled with Hawaiian tradition, the four major sections for Hickam Air Force Base’s first C-17 were joined Friday, Aug. 19 in the Long Beach, Calif., factory where the giant airlifter is assembled. “We’re amazed at the effort and dedication it takes to put this air-plane together,” said Major General Robert Lee, adjutant general of the State of Hawaii and the commander of the Hawaii National Guard. “The industrial might of the United States of America is alive and well in the C-17 workforce in Long Beach.”

About 500 Boeing employees, as well as a large delegation of civic and military leaders from Honolulu were on hand for the event. Major join is a significant milestone in the aircraft’s assembly, as it’s the first time the C-17 actually looks like an airplane.

When delivered in January 2006, the aircraft will be the U.S.Air Force’s 146th C-17, and the first based outside of the continental United States. “We would welcome as many Boeing employees as possible to come to Honolulu for our delivery next year,” said Lee, drawing boisterous applause from employees. “We want to return your hospitality.”

The celebration aircraft is the first of eight C17s destined for Hickam. The seven C-17s that follow it will arrive in Honolulu approximately every three to four weeks- until the squadron is complete in mid2006.

The base’s C-17s are the first of 16 destined for the Pacific Air Forces. The other eight will go to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, beginning in 2007.

Maj. Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr., said the C-17’s long-range capabilities will address one of the Pacific Air Forces’ biggest challenges – spanning 14 time zones. What he called “the tyranny of distance.”

Rice, commander of 13th Air Force, based in Guam, and part of the Pacific Air Forces, described the C-17 as “the centerpiece of our transformation. The C-17s are going to set the pace for the rest of the Air Force,” he said.

Hickam’s new C-17s will be jointly operated by the Air Force’s 15th Airlift Wing, and the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing. It’s a unique arrangement that marks the first time C17 s will be delivered to an organization outside Air Mobility Command. Hawaii’s C-17s will be under the jurisdiction of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam.

Brig. Gen. Peter Pawling, commander of the 154 WG, based at Hickam, presented the C-17 workforce with an outrigger paddle – a symbolic connection between the Boeing employees and the soon-to-be users of the aircraft. The paddle is made of koa wood.

”Like the aircraft, koa symbolizes strength, quality and durability,” said Pawling. “All of you are the paddle builders and we want to thank you.”

– 2005 July – September Pūpūkahi pp. 5

The year also brought the first C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the Spirit of Hawaii, to Hickam Air Force Base, Feb. 8, 2006. The Spirit of Hawaii was the first of eight C-17 aircraft to make Hickam its home as part of the first active duty and Air National Guard classic associate units. The Hawaii Air National Guard and the 15th Airlift Wing began developing a working relationship with the arrival of the C-17 simulator, the opening of the C-17 Maintenance Complex, the first 15 AW C-17 refuel, and the completion of the first C-17 Home Station Check. With the acceptance of the C-17, the HIANG said farewell to the C-130 after 20 years of service. The last C-130 departed Hickam, Feb. 15, 2006.

– 2006 Annual Report pp. 15

C-17 training

By Staff Sgt. Betty J. Squatrito-Martin Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, but with a chuckle he replied, “Just give them a chance, let’s see what they can do. Let’s see if the 15th Airlift Wing and the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing can fly.” So Airmen, active duty and Guard, buckled down and step by step began to make the C-17 Globemaster Ill’s arrival at Hickam Air Force Base a reality.

The C-17 Globemaster Ill’s arrival Feb. 8 is predominately due to the determination and dedication of active duty and guardsmen alike who have been training and working since the C-17 ground breaking ceremony Aug. 19, 2004

With a 17-month break between the ground breaking and actual arrival of the aircraft you can rest assured that no one was waiting around to start training. While Hickam’s first C-17 was being built in Long Beach, Calif., Airmen were already learning to fly and load the C-17 aircraft.

To qualify to fly the C-17, pilots and loadmasters are sent to Altus Air Force Base, Okla. where they spend about four months training on the aircraft. According to Lt. Col. Michael Compton, chief of the C-17 transition office, once qualified on the C-17, the HIANG members go to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and Jackson Air National Guard Base, Miss., to deploy with those units in an effort to develop their proficiency.

“We have flown throughout the Pacific and the Continental United States, but our most common missions are in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Lt. Col. Compton.

The C-17 crews have been bringing rebuilding supplies, vehicles and troop into country, flying troops home and flying Aeromedical Evacuation flights, added Lt. Col. Compton.

The transition from the C-130 to the C-17 has been and continues to be a busy time for the HIANG. Crew members are being asked to be away from home for over six months this year, and I am very proud of what the members have given up for this transition, said Lt. Col. Compton.

“We have flown about 5,000 hours in the C-17 with 1,500 hours of combat time,” said Lt. Col. Compton.

So far there are about 10 pilots and 20 loadmasters trained and ready for the C-17 s arrival. About that same number are currently in training.

Besides being capable of rapidly and strategically delivering troops and various types of cargo for combat purposes the C-17 aircraft is also known for performing humanitarian missions.

“With our comprehensive, aggressive training program, our crews are well prepared to immediately contribute to the global mobility mission,” said Lt. Col. Compton.

– 2005 October – December Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Hawaii Air National Guard makes history with arrival of the C-17 Globemaster Ill

By 154th Wing Public Affairs

History was made early this year, with the arrival of the first and second C17 Globemaster Ills to be housed at Hickam Air Force Base. Thousands gathered on the flightline in front of the 15th Airlift Wing’s operations center Feb. 8 to welcome Ke Aloha, the very first of Hickam ‘s C-17s to arrive. The second followed shortly, arriving Feb. 21.

Piloted by active duty and Guard members, the Ke Aloha along with the second Globemaster Ill, which was unofficially named the Hawaii 2 by Boeing representatives, sealed the 15th Airlift Wing and 154th Wing partnership at Hickam Air Force Base.

“It’s a whole new world at Hickam Air Force Base,” said Capt. Steven Snelson, C-17 pilot from the 535th Airlift Squadron.

This is the first time the C-17 will make its home outside the continental United States.

“It makes so much sense having the C-17s stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. From this location, we’ 11 be able to effectively support all the service branches of our American military” said Brig. Gen. Peter “Skipper” Pawling, 154th Wing commander.

Both the Active Duty and the Hawaii Air National Guard are joining forces to bring the rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo under all sorts of conditions to all kinds of places.

“The C-17 will support missions wherever anyone needs our help,” said Tech. Sgt. Rafael Delasierra, Hawaii Air Nation.al Guard member and designated crew chief of Ke Aloha.

With an overall 60/40 split between active duty and guard, the partnership between the two will allow ample support for the National Guard’s state mission, which distinguishes them from their active duty counterparts.

“Not only will we use C-17 s in a joint manner to support all of our military forces, but in my other responsibility in homeland security, our response in the State of Hawaii is going to be so much improved,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, Hawaii state adjutant General during the second C-17 ceremony.

“Our 93rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team can take its entire team and all of its equipment on one C-17, fly anywhere within the State of hawaii and need be, fly throughout the Pacific in case of biological or nuclear disaster,” said Maj. Gen. Lee.

The C-l 7s will continue to arrive at Hickam Air Force Base through September until all eight aircraft arrive.

– 2006 January – March Pūpūkahi pp. 3