Lockheed Martin recently inducted the second C-5B transport aircraft into its plant in Marietta, Ga., for fitting with new engines and additional upgrades. This aircraft is the fifth C-5 overall to go in for the new gear under the C-5 reliability enhancement and re-engining program, but the second aircraft to enter the RERP production line as opposed to being modified during RERP’s developmental phase. The first C-5B entered the line last August. Lorraine Martin, Lockheed’s C-5 vice president, said the company is “making great strides” with it and expects “to keep up the same productive pace” with the second aircraft. While current Air Force plans call for only 52 of the 111 C-5s in the fleet to receive the RERP gear, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Wednesday there’s still a chance that the others may get them, too. (Lockheed release)
Three B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing flew over the Indo-Pacific alongside F-16s from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force as part of a joint large force exercise. The mission began and ended in the continental U.S. The bombers flew 31 hours and landed Jan. 11.