Review assembles C-17 community to plan improvements

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Carbajal
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Alaska's austere conditions pose challenges for people, animals and equipment. A multi-national collection of senior military officials associated with the C-17 program gathered here to share concerns about the aircraft. 

The C-17 Executive Program Management Review was held at the Susitna Club with nearly 90 involved members Feb. 11-12. 

Members include Boeing representatives and members of the British, Canadian, Australian and United States air forces to discuss improvements to Globemaster III mechanical, avionics and airframe systems. The meeting included representatives from many operational C-17 air force bases throughout the United States. 

"This particular meeting is our opportunity to interface every base, every user around the world - U.S., Canada, Britain and Australia," said Col. Mark Mol, C-17 system program manager at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. "We hear direct from the customers what their perspectives are and what the issues are. We also have an opportunity to talk about new capabilities coming online." 

The representatives were given the opportunity to fly aboard a C-17, tour the F-22A Raptor facilities and the NORAD Combat Alert Cell and watch an outdoor, night load demonstration at the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron. 

"We flew over and into the C-17 training areas in Alaska. For many of the engineers it was their first flight in an airplane they have spent a career designing and improving," said Col. Richard Walberg, 3rd Wing vice commander. "The intent was to allow the engineers to see what our Airmen go through in the Alaska environment and to understand the extra time required to move the mission." 

The review is normally set for the spring timeframe but was rescheduled by Elmendorf leadership request. 

"I wanted the representatives to see first-hand what kind of conditions we work in," said Colonel Walberg. "Alaska is very unique and does have its challenges, but this EPMR will help find solutions to those challenges." 

By accelerating the schedule, people attending the review could have a better understand of how the C-17 was performing in Alaska's winter conditions. 

"By coming to an operational base interfacing with the wings and group commanders, we get a much better appreciation for the tough problems the warfighters are struggling with," said Colonel Mol. 

Other review officials agreed. 

"You can read about it, you can intellectually understand it, but until you experience what happens to this equipment, it just doesn't sink in," said Jean Chamberlin, Boeing global mobility systems general manager. "You do need to see where we have the shortfalls in the tech orders in terms of how you start the aircraft after it's sat on the runway for 24 hours in minus 20 degree weather." 

During the review C-17 program managers presented their particular issues, described successes and shortcomings of modifications with the aircraft and exchanged ideas to find answers to their questions. 

"This is an incredibly productive meeting for us because we get the direct voice from the customer," said Colonel Mol. "We then can set priorities advocate for funding and find technical solutions for real-world problems." 

Even locations with dramatically different climates benefited from attending the review and share similarities with the Elmendorf C-17 mission challenges. 

"We received a very good understanding as was laid out with the flight we were given and the tour of the base," said Australian Group Capt. Gary Martin, Officer Commanding No. 86th Wing. "We also have a government obligation to look at cold weather operations as the Australian government's area of interest includes supporting our scientific community in the Antarctic." 

He added that like Alaska, the Australian air force has to operate to remote communities to assist those areas. 

Following the review, the Boeing representatives take concerns they gathered during the review and begin working on solutions. 

"My measure of success will be how quickly our engineers are able to turn around the recommendations and tech orders," said Ms. Chamberlin. "I admire the innovation and rugged drive to sustain normal operations despite the challenges here."