C-5 Surgery

Technicians from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, began removing the wings of a C-5A Galaxy transport in late July as part of an engineering study of the aircraft's airframe viability. A ten-member team of aircraft battle damage repair specialists began work last November on the aircraft, one of fourteen C-5As selected for retirement by the Air Force. The team's goal is to get all of the major components removed from the aircraft by the end of the year. The request to tear down the C-5 airframe came at the request of Air Mobility Command to determine if the aircraft's structure is meeting its original design life predictions.

Photo By Tae Sue Sapp