Lockheed Martin put out the red carpet in Marietta, Ga., Tuesday, heralding completion of the first of 111 C-5 airlifters the company is expected to modernize for the Air Force. Designated C-5M, the airlifter has new General Electric CF6 engines and upgraded avionics. The new powerplants give the M model a shorter takeoff roll and higher climb rate, as well as allowing the aircraft to carry larger loads longer at less cost. Company officials say the upgrade includes more than 70 improvements to increase mission capable rates and meet current air traffic control standards. The Air Force expects to fly the C-5Ms through 2040.
B-1 bombers operated out of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia for the first time in more than 15 years recently, as part of Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force missions. The B-1B Lancers, along with around 200 Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., landed…