The 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard.

The 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard is one of only three ANG's unit equipped with the gigantic Lockheed C-5A "Galaxy". Based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, the 105th Airlift Wing and its flying component, the 137th Airlift Squadron, provide airlift operations to worldwide locations in peacetime and in war.

History:

The 137th Airlift Squadron traces its lineage to August 1943 when it was constituted at Hunter Field, GA and activated seven days later as the 483rd BS (Dive). This unit was redesignated the 504th FS shortly after being shipped to England in the Spring of 1944. Assigned to the 339th FG, Eight Air Force, and equipped with NA P-51D, it flew combat operations in the ETO between April 1944 and VE Day. Inactivated at Drew Field, Fl. in November 1945, it was reconstituted and redesignated the 137th FS before being allotted to the New York National Guard on May 24, 1946. On June 24, 1948, the 137th FS (SE) was extended federal recognition at Westchester County Airport, White Plains, NY and equipped with Republic F-47D "Thunderbolt" and some support aircraft. In September 1952, the unit was redesignated the 137th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and received the NA F-51H "Mustang", as well as a new air defense mission. In 1953, the unit entered the "jet age" when it converted to the F-94A "Starfire", an all-weather interceptor. The unit retained its air defense mission until 1958 when it began conversion to the F-86H and was reorganized as the 105th Tactical Fighter Group on May 1, 1958. In February 1961, the unit was redesignated as the 105th Aeromedical Transport Group and received its first C-119C "Flying Boxcar". At that time, the 105th ATG joined the Military Air Transport Service. In April 1962, the unit received on-loan some KC-97G from SAC to initiate crew training in preparation for a conversion to the C-97G "Stratofreighters". During December 1962, the 137th was redesignated an Air Transport Squadron (Heavy) and converted to the C-97G. On January 1,1966, the unit was redesignated a Military Airlift Squadron and became MAC-gained following MATS redesignation. In the Spring of 1969, the unit converted to Cessna U-3A/B. On May 28,1969, the unit was redesignated the 137th Tactical Air Support Squadron and became TAC-gained. In April 1971, the 105th TASG was assigned the Forward Air Control (FAC) and communications mission and converted to the Cessna O-2A "Skymaster". In May 1983, the unit relocated to Stewart Reserve Training Center at Newburgh, NY. It was redesignated the 105th Military Airlift Group on May 1, 1984 and in July 1985, the unit converted from the smallest and lightest aircraft to the largest and heaviest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. The 105th transitioned from the O-2A to the C-5A "Galaxy", becoming the first and only Air National Guard unit to fly the C-5A. In October 1987, the 105th began relocating to its new home on Stewart Airport and was named Stewart Air National Guard Base. On August 24, 1990, the unit was called to active duty as part of Operation Desert Shield call-up. On May 15, 1991, the 105th was released from active duty after taking part in Desert Storm. In June 1992, as part of the Air Force restructuring program, the unit was redesignated the 105th Airlift Group. Three years later, in October 1995, the unit was further redesignated as the 105th Airlift Wing.

The mission:

The 105th Airlift Wing belongs to the New York Air National Guard and is an Air Mobility Command-gained unit. With an authorized strength of more than 1,700 personnel, it is among the largest in the ANG. In 1993, the 105th completed construction of Stewart Air National Guard, a $155 million facility located on 250 acres at Stewart International Airport. The airport's 12,000 foot main runway was ideally suited to the C-5 mission. The unit's 13 aircraft regularly fly "channel" missions between the eastern United States and Europe for Air Mobility Command (AMC). Additional AMC missions have been flown as far west as Thailand, east to Pakistan and India, north to Alaska and Finland, and south to Uruguay, Ascension Island and Zimbabwe. Flights within the continental United States are both "Guardlift" missions in support of Army and Air National Guard unit deployments, and Defense Business Operating Fund (DBOF) AMC missions. "Guardlift" missions are also used to support Guard units deploying overseas for annual training and participation in major Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) exercises.

Shortly after receiving its first C-5A, the 105th started to fly humanitarian relief missions. In October 1985, the unit transported 84,600 pounds of cots and bedding to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Gloria. Three years later, the 105th transported 300,000 pounds of hurricane relief and reconstruction supplies to the island nation of Jamaica following Hurricane Gilbert. In January 1989, the unit carried 146,610 pounds of earthquake relief supplies to Soviet Armenia. In March 1989, the 105th responded with less than 24 hours notice to an AMC request to airlift a more than 80,000 pound submersible vehicle from Andrews and Homestead AFB to Kadena AB, Japan, to assist in search and recovery operation for an Air Force HH-3 helicopter which crashed into the East China Sea. Throughout the summer and fall of 1989, the 105th continued to support reconstruction efforts in Jamaica by airlifting National Guard civil engineering teams and equipment to the hurricane-ravaged island. In October of the same year, the unit responded to another storm, Hurricane Hugo, airlifting more than two million pounds of relief supplies to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In December 1991, the 105th carried more than 145,00 pounds of clothing, blankets and medical supplies to Bucharest, Rumania. In February 1992, the unit participated in Operation Provide Hope, the airlift of humanitarian aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States (formerly the Soviet Union), delivering 384,000 pounds of relief materials to St.Petersburg, Russia, and Yerevan, Armenia.

In September 1992, the 105th responded to South Florida, delivering more than one million pounds of food, tents, mobile kitchens, vehicles and emergency services personnel after the Homestead area was hit by Hurricane Andrew. In November 1992, the unit airlifted 118,450 pounds of supplies such as generators, portable shelters, medical supplies and equipment to Zagreb, Croatia, to support the U.S.Army's 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital's establishment of a facility to a full range of health care for United Nations forces deployed in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. From December 1992 to April 1993, the 105th supported Operation Restore Hope by providing humanitarian airlift of 2,800,000 pounds of supplies and more than 600 passengers into Somalia. Following massive flooding in the central United States in July 1993, the unit airlifted 10 reverse osmosis water purification systems weighing a total of more than 380,000 pounds to Des Moine, Iowa. In August 1993, the unit carried 75 tons of relief supplies and equipment to southern Turkey to be used to help Kurdish refugees. In October 1993, the 105th returned to Somalia, delivering military personnel and almost 860,000 pounds of equipment non-stop, with triple air-refueling, directly from bases in the United States to Mogadishu. In July 1994, 105th's C-5s began carrying humanitarian aid to the people of Rwanda. By early September, 1,635,189 pounds of supplies and equipment were delivered to East Africa. In late September 1994, the unit began airlifting more than a million pounds of supplies and equipment to Haiti as part of Operation Uphold Democracy. The 105th played a key role in July 1995 for Operation Quick Lift when it airlifted 431,000 pounds of cargo and 190 British troops from RAF Brize Norton, UK to Split, Croatia, in support of the United Nations Rapid Reaction Deployment Force.

Immediately following Hurricane Marilyn in September 1995, the unit airlifted 527,000 pounds of supplies and equipment to the citizens of the American Virgin islands. In December 1995, 105th Airlift Wing C-5 crews embarked on the first of six missions in support of President Clinton's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, transporting almost 800,000 pounds of U.S.Army support equipment to the European theater. In March 1996, the 105th participated in "Partners in Peace", a joint-force operation bringing needed office supplies to Rwanda for the War Crimes Tribunal. The mission also carried medical supplies for the World Food Program. In September 1996, the 105th returned to Puerto Rico to deliver 22,000 pounds of bedding after the island was hit by Hurricane Hortense. In April 1997, the unit flew 160,000 pounds of produce and fruit to Fargo, N.D., after flooding there forced thousands from their homes. In January 1998, during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, the 105th became a "hub" for northern New York ice storm relief activity as unit members received and downloaded 70 emergency generators from five C-5 aircraft. The 105th also loaded 7,500 pound generators onto Army Guard flatbeds for transport upstate to the ice storm victims. The 105th again assisted their neighbors to the north by helping clean up New York communities damaged by a tornado in late May 1998. In September 1998, the unit flew five missions in support of AMC relief missions to the Caribbean after Hurricane Georges decimed the area. The 105th carried a total of 294.9 tons of supplies to Puerto Rico. In December 1999, the unit flew two missions to Caracas, Venezuela, after the area was devastated by massive flooding. The 105th carried about 100 tons of relief supplies.

Beside its humanitarian missions, the 105th also performed wartime/combat missions. In 1989, the 105th Airlift Wing its wartime mission in support of Operation Just Cause in Panama. More than 2,200,000 pounds of cargo airlifted by the 105th in support of that operation represented approximately 25 percent of the initial total airlift effort of all the Military Airlift Command's C-5 fleet assigned to both active duty and reserve component elements. On August 7, 1990, then-Governor Mario Cuomo announced that the Department of Defense had requested, and he had approved, the participation of the personnel and C-5A of the 105th in active and direct support of Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf region. On August 24, the 137th was called to active duty by then-President George Bush to provide continued support for this operation. While the 137th returned to state control on May 15, 1991, the majority of unit members chose to remain in active status until August 1991 in response to AMC's need for continuing airlift support of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort. By the end of May 1991, the 137th had flown 836 missions, carried 17,974 passengers and 76.8 million pounds of cargo, 2.9 million miles in 7,800 hours of flight in support of Desert Storm. In October 1994, 105th's aircraft and volunteers crews played a key role in Operation Vigilant Warrior and Operation Southern Watch, deterring potential Iraqi aggression in the Arabian Peninsula. In August 1995, the 105th airlifted personnel and equipment to Kuwait in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior II and Exercise Intrinsic Action. In February 1998, the 105th flew four missions and 336,005 pounds of cargo in support of Operation Phoenix Scorpion, in a continuing effort to deter potential Iraqi aggression.

Dedication to the community has been a 105th tradition for decades and is part of the 105th's mission statement which reads, in part, "...The 105th is dedicated to initiating and sustaining enduring partnerships, which enhance the quality of life and future potential of the people of our communities. The 105th has strived to enhance the quality of life and future potential of its community through the creation of several programs.

The aircraft:

The C-5A "Galaxy" is the United States largest heavy-cargo transport aircraft and is designed to provide strategic airlift for deployment and supply of combat and support forces. Built by the Lockheed-Georgia Company, the C-5A "Galaxy" is powered by four TF-39-GE-1C turbofan engines rated at 41,000 pounds of thrust each. Length is 247 feet, 10 inches. Height at tail is 65 feet, 1 inch. Normal maximum takeoff weight is 769,000 pounds and increased to 840,000 pounds in wartime conditions. Takeoff distances are 12,200 feet, fully loaded and landing at 4,900 feet in the same conditions. Wingspan is 222 feet, 9 inches and the stabilizer's span is 68 feet, 9 inches. The cargo compartment has a height of 13 feet, 6 inches with a 19 feet's width. When empty, the C-5A has a range of 5,940 miles but has the capability of being air-refueled, making its range unlimited. Normal ceiling is 34,000 feet with a 605,000 pounds load. Cruising speed is 541 mph (Mach 0.72). The aircraft weighs 321,000 lbs when empty and a gross 769,000 lbs. The C-5A can carry unusually large and heavy cargo up to 8.5 tons worldwide at jet speeds. The aircraft can take off and land in relatively short distances and taxi on substandard surfaces during emergency operations. The aircraft is so large that Stewart's new 300'x300'x120' composite aircraft maintenance hangar facility, the largest ever built by the Air National Guard, houses only one C-5A completely within its structure. The hangar can also house two C-5As with their tails extending outside the building.

By using the front and rear cargo doors, the C-5A can be loaded and off-loaded at the same time. Both nose and rear doors open the full width and height of the cargo compartment, allowing drive-through loading and unloading of wheeled and tracked vehicles, and easier loading of bulky equipment. A "kneeling" landing gear system lowers the aircraft's cargo floor to truck-bed height. The entire cargo floor has a roller system for rapid handling of palletized equipment. Thirty-six fully loaded pallets can be loaded aboard in about 90 minutes. The C-5A's weight is distributed on its high flotation landing gear, which has 28 wheels. The landing gear system can raise each set of wheels individually for simplified tire changes or brake maintenance.

Four turbofan engines mounted on pylons under the wings power the C-5. Each engine pod is nearly 27 feet (8.2 meters) long, weighs 7,900 pounds (3,555 kilograms) and has an air intake diameter of more than 8 1/2 feet (2.6 meters). The Galaxy has 12 integral wing tanks with a capacity of 51,150 gallons (194,370 liters) of fuel - enough to fill 6 1/2 regular-size railroad tank cars. The fuel weighs 322,500 pounds (145,125 kilograms) and permits the C-5, carrying a 204,904-pound (92,207-kilogram) payload, to fly 2,150 nautical miles (3,440 kilometers), off-load, and fly another 500 miles (800 kilometers) without aerial refueling.

Except for emergencies or unusual circumstances, the C-5 does not carry troops in the lower-deck cargo compartment; but 73 seats are available in the rear compartment of the upper deck for personnel and operators of equipment being airlifted. The troop compartment is located in the aircraft upper deck and is self-contained with a galley and two lavatories. Another 267 airline seats may be installed on the cargo compartment floor. The forward upper deck accommodates a crew of six, a relief crew of seven and up to eight mail or message couriers. The flight deck has work stations for the pilot, co-pilot, two flight engineers and two loadmasters. The aircraft has sophisticated communications equipment and a triple inertial navigation system. It can operates without using ground-based navigational aids. The electrical system has four engine-driven generators, each powerful enough to supply the aircraft with sufficient electricity. Each of the two main landing gear pods carries an auxiliary power unit to supply electric and pneumatic power for engine starts and ground air conditioning, heating, cooling and ventilation. Air turbine motors in the landing gear pods also power the hydraulic systems and the main landing gear kneeling motors.

The C-5 "Galaxy" is one of the world's largest aircraft and with its massive payload capacity, has opened unprecedented dimensions of strategic airlift in support of national defense The Air Force took delivery of its first C-5A in 1969 and the 105th received its aircraft in July 1985. With a projected structural service life of over 50,000 hours, the C-5 could last structurally well into the next century. However, many factors can affect the service life of an aircraft. Currently, the C-5 has the highest operating cost of any weapon system and the current maintenance man hour per flying hour clearly shows the difficulties in the aircraft. The C-5A requires close to 46.0 maintenance man hours per flying hour. With the retirement of the C-141 from the Air Force inventory, the C-5A of the 105th AW will be called upon to fly more missions in support of AMC.

Sure enough, members of the 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard will continue to provide strategic airlift worldwide in support of AMC and will do their best flying the "Galaxy".