437th AIRLIFT WING
The Wing executes Air Mobility Command’s Global Reach airlift capability via 40 C-17A Globemaster III assigned aircraft. It deploys Airmen and aircraft worldwide in support of contingency operations involving airland and airdrop delivery of forces, equipment and supplies. The C-17A is a capable aircraft due to air refueling and ground maneuverability, enabling combat offload, roll-on/roll-off, and transport of over and outsized cargo to traditional and austere airfields across the globe. 437th Airlift Wing missions support combat operations, White House, Department of State and Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed missions, humanitarian aid, and aeromedical evacuation support. The Wing also provides the nation’s only C-17A Special Operations Low-Level support, specially certified crew for embassy and cabinet support, and global humanitarian aid delivery at minimal cost to the donor.
MISSION AND VISION
Mission: Provide GLOBAL MOBILITY for Combatant Commanders -- anything, anytime, anywhere
Vision: A winning team of professionals committed to increase security across the globe
Motto: Be the competitive advantage!
The wing commands assigned airlift and supporting units to maintain assigned C-17A aircraft, load and unload passengers, out-sized equipment, bulk cargo and aeromedical evacuation. The Wing delivers passengers, equipment and supplies whenever and wherever required via airland or airdrop missions. The 437 AW trains and executes the only C-17A special operations capability in the Air Force.
Apart from its heavy airdrop commitment and a demanding humanitarian role, the 437th Airlift Wing's missions range from supporting U.S. Embassies to supplying humanitarian airlift relief to victims of disasters, to special operations, to airdropping forces or vital supplies into the heart of contingency operations in hostile areas. The wing also supports the Denton Amendment program. The Denton program provides free space available transportation to non-profit organizations providing humanitarian cargo to over eleven countries.
C-17 AIRCRAFT
The 437th Airlift Wing was the first operational C-17A wing in the Air Force. The wing's current fleet of 41 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft is valued at $9.2 billion, or $212 million per aircraft. Since its fielding, the C-17A has set or broken 33 world records to include payload to altitude, time to climb, and short takeoff and landing marks.
The C-17 cruises at approximately 500 miles per hour at 28,000 feet (Mach .74). It also has a global range with in-flight refueling. Its maximum load is 170,900 pounds, and it can fit two large buses, three helicopters, one of the Army's newest tanks or other outsized cargo. In addition, it features a control stick as opposed to a traditional yoke and a heads-up display. It can airdrop both cargo or up to 102 paratroopers, and is able to land on small, austere runways as short as 3,000 feet with a full load. A basic C-17A crew consists of pilot, co-pilot, and loadmaster.
ORGANIZATIONS
The 437th Airlift Wing is comprised of two operational groups:
· 437th Operations Group distinguishes itself by projection of America's global reach through direct delivery, airdrop, and air refueling.
· 437th Maintenance Group is dedicated to performing organizational and intermediate-level maintenance on all assigned C-17 aircraft while also providing loading and unloading expertise for all cargo and personnel.
437 AW AIRCRAFT PAST AND PRESENT
T-7 Navigator
T-11 Kansan
C-46 Commando
C-47 Skytrain
C-119 Flying Boxcar
C-124 Globemaster II
C-130 Hercules
C-141 Starlifter
C-5 Galaxy
C-17 Globemaster III
(Current as of May 21, 2013)