The first C-5A Galaxy returns to Dover AFB to rest

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Air Mobility Command museum unveiled the newest edition to its aircraft collection  Nov. 9, 2013, here.

The C-5A Galaxy was delivered to Dover Air Force Base, Del.,  in 1971, which makes it Dover AFB's longest serving aircraft type and now the first aircraft of its kind to be in a museum.

"It was the very first C-5 to be factory delivered to Dover AFB," said Michael Leister, AMC museum director. "It is exciting to have it returned to us."

The C-5 reached the museum after its final flight Aug. 7, 2013, from the Tennessee Air National Guard unit in Memphis, Tenn.

"There is a great sense of relief, because we have been working on this for some time and think when people come to see the C-5 they will really be impressed," said Leister. "The airplane display is pretty impressive inside and out."

Staff Sgt. Donald Cridlebaugh, 436th Maintenance Group qualification training program instructor, said the C-5 is an amazing machine and a great asset to the Air Force's global reach mission.

"It cannot be described in photos or video, it must be experienced," said Cridlebaugh. "I wish we could send everyone on a mission, giving them firsthand experience of what it can do, but since we can't, letting them interact with it is the next best thing."

Before the C-5 could begin its rest amongst the other aircraft, nine aircraft had to be towed out, repositioned and finally parked after the C-5 was in place.

"I think this experience was a big part of my Air Force career," said Airman 1st Class Jose Rosado, 436th Maintenance Squadron C-5 crew chief. "It will help when I go down range to understand how to use the tow bars of other aircraft. Also, being a part of the team that put a piece of history into the museum was kind of fun."

Cridlebaugh said he looks forward to people being exposed to the C-5.

"When we moved the C-5 to its parking spot, I felt something that I normally only feel while not at Dover AFB," said Cridlebaugh. "Many Air Force brothers and sisters of mine have experienced the same feeling. The feeling when you work day in and day out, the Air Force feels like a regular company and it can feel like a job. But, when I go home on leave to see my friends and family, the contrast between the civilian world and the military world helps me to see that what I do as a job every day is amazing."