WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- It was a bittersweet moment as C-5A 448 taxied to the end of the runway and prepared for takeoff. It sat alone, away from the other remaining two of its model, ready to retire from countless hours of service and proud memories it provided Air Force aircrews and maintenance units.
C-5A 448 was one of the last three remaining A-models in the Air Force’s aircraft inventory. Further, it was the last C-5A to head to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The remaining two C-5As, also housed at Westover, will be flown to aircraft museums at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Travis Air Force Base, California, later this summer.
Aircraft 0448, nicknamed the four-four late, was originally transferred to Westover September 7, 1988. Col. Les “Anchor” Bradfield, former 439th Operations Group commander, flew the C-5A from Westover to the boneyard. The aircraft has over 22,000 flying hours on the airframe. Additionally, it retired having performed 6,076 full stop landings and 18,106 total landings.
Although Westover is sad to see the C5-As go, aircrew are looking forward to the new chapter begining with the C-5M Super Galaxies that are replacing the A-models.
“We are all excited about the increased performance of the C-5M,” said Lt. Col. Craig T. Tommila, 439th OG. “It will extend our global reach capabilities, and increase efficiency tremendously