418th FLTS deactivates Georgia detachment Published April 28, 2009 By Jeanne Savage 418th Flight Test Squadron MARIETTA, Ga. -- April 15, the 418th Flight Test Squadron closed a chapter of its history books with the official deactivation of Detachment 4, in Marietta, Ga. The detachment, located inside the Lockheed Martin Engineering Test Center, was formed in 2002 to support developmental testing of the C-5 Galaxy Modernization Test Program. "This was a team of military, government civilians and contractors all doing what's necessary to bring this extraordinary aircraft to the men and women of our United States Air Force," said Lt. Col. James Hanley, 418th FLTS commander. Detachment 4 worked with test personnel from the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center as part of the C-5 Combined Test Force. The CTF had three different commanders and peaked at 50 personnel. Officiating at the deactivation ceremony were Colonel Hanley, Lt. Col. Chris Lindell, the detachment commander, and Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president of C-5 Modernization Programs. The C-5 CTF fell under the Global Reach CTF, whose mission is to deliver timely, objective, decision-quality information through test and evaluation of air mobility systems to advance global warfighter capabilities. Over its seven-year period, the C-5 Modernization Program had two primary phases -- the Avionics Modernization Program and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The AMP modified the C-5 to add a glass cockpit and make it compliant with Global Air Traffic Management requirements. One C-5A and one C-5B were converted for testing. Active ground and flight testing of the AMP modifications took place from December 2002 until November 2005 culminating in 200 sorties and 1,000 flight hours, including an Integrated System Evaluation flown around the globe. Following AMP, the RERP added new General Electric CF6 engines and upgraded the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Aircraft that had both the AMP and RERP modifications were re-designated as a C-5M Super Galaxy. Two C-5Bs and one C-5A aircraft were converted to the C-5M configuration for testing. First flight of the C-5M was on June 19, 2006. Ground and flight testing of the RERP modifications took place from November 2005 until December 2008. During the three-year span, 411 flight test sorties were flown for a total of 1,200 flight hours. In addition, 196 formal ground tests were accomplished, lasting 800 hours. "Successful flight tests could not have been achieved without the support and leadership of the 418th FLTS," Ms. Martin said. "Both ground and flight testing were extremely complex and technically challenging -- both in planning and execution. The flexibility and agility of this team were paramount in ensuring that we were successful." Colonel Lindell also praised the CTF and recognized that each member brought great capabilities to the collective team. "Lockheed Martin has been the backbone of U.S. strategic airlift for over 50 years -- and it is strategic airlift that sets us apart from other nations," he said. He said he was most pleased that the detachment was able to accomplish its mission safely, while still grooming and caring for its people. "Safety is not a given -- not for this or any other program," Colonel Lindell said. "The team did what was needed, when it was needed, and prevailed." Feb. 9, the first C-5M was delivered to Air Mobility Command at Dover Air Force Base by members of Detachment 4, with Gen. Arthur Lichte, AMC commander, along with John Young, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Sue Peyton, Air Force Deputy for Acquisition. "This may be the closing of a chapter, but we're still in the middle of the book," Colonel Hanley said. "The bonds, relationship and teamwork that are present here today will continue. By working together as a team, we will deliver these incredible aircraft to the Air Force."