United States Transportation Command

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (USTCNS) --- Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., is gearing up to train approximately 120 Royal Air Force aircrew and aircraft maintainers in support of the United Kingdom's plan to lease four C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The tentative dates for the initial, refresher and replacement training are September 2000 through 2008. Approximately 85 RAF members will undergo maintenance training courses taught by the
AAI/ESI Company of Summerville, S.C., the 437th Logistics Group, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment and the Boeing Company. The 437th Operations Group will train 35 aircrew members.

The 85 aircraft maintainers are expected to begin arriving in September for training. The academic portion will take place in an AAI/ESI training facility in North Charleston, with the practical training being conducted at Charleston AFB alongside flightline personnel based here.

The first two flight crews, comprised of a pilot, co-pilot and a loadmaster, are scheduled to begin training at Altus AFB, Okla., in October and should arrive here in January 2001 to gain experience in the C-17. Charleston will provide training for approximately 20 pilots and 15 loadmasters.

The U.K.'s lease with the Boeing Company is expected to be signed in September. The U.K. will receive its first C-17 in May 2001 when the aircraft is delivered to RAF Brize Norton. The two U.K. crews are expected to fly with Charleston crews for approximately four months before returning to the U.K. All of the students will be housed locally.

Charleston's International Military Student Office is responsible for the in-processing, student administration and overall welfare of all foreign students who undergo training here.

"Our goal in the IMSO is to provide a seamless training experience for foreign students," said 1st Lt. Chris Hobbs, IMSO officer. "We want this to be a world-class program. The support from Charleston's leadership has been tremendous, backing us 100 percent throughout our preparations."

The foreign liaison officer, also known as the FLO, will be Warrant Officer Ian McKay of the RAF. He should arrive the first week of September. He'll work side-by-side with Hobbs to ensure a smooth transition for the students. The IMSO will be similar to an Air Force first sergeant and will serve as the liaison with other participating Air Force agencies and the civilian contractor.

"Having Warrant Officer McKay at Charleston will greatly enhance the program's effectiveness," Hobbs said. "Even though there are very few cultural differences between U.S. and U.K. airmen, his
presence will reassure students who are far away from their homes."

In an effort to make the students feel even more at home, a sponsorship program will match them with local airmen. The idea behind the program is to let the students learn about American culture while offering an escape from the rigorous training program, according to Hobbs.

A trilateral Integrated Production Team made of members of the U.S. Air Force, Boeing and the Royal Air Force has been working to ensure the success of the lease program and the Air Force's
training and logistical support, according to a Pentagon official.

"This has been an unprecedented effort between the U.S. Air Force, industry and a foreign government," said Maj. Kenneth Hubbard, United Kingdom Country director with the Air Force's
International Affairs office in the Pentagon. "The hands-on opportunity for on-the-job training with the Air Force is a tremendous asset to the U.K. They'll get a chance to work hands on with the people who stood up the C-17 and who know more about the C-17 than anyone else in the world."

Hubbard said the RAF members will get the opportunity to not only fly and employ the C-17, but will also learn how the Air Force runs its air operations, schedules training for aircrews and conducts maintenance operations involved with the C-17.

Using Charleston's established training infrastructure will provide cost savings for both the Air Force and the RAF because another "end user" of the C-17, RAF Brize Norton, will join Charleston AFB, McChord AFB, Wash., and Altus AFB, according to Hubbard.

"This is a huge step forward for further cooperation between the USAF and the RAF," Hubbard commented. "We'll establish a virtual worldwide fleet of C-17s. They'll be another C-17 end user.
The program will enhance the interoperability and commonality of our weapons system."

More end users of the C-17 will also allow the Air Force to better respond to warfighting requirements, contingencies and humanitarian relief operations.

Hubbard also commended the support provided by Charleston AFB.

"I can't say enough about the tremendous support the Air Force has received from Charleston leadership for the lease program," he said. "They've been more than hospitable." (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).

Charleston to provide C-17 training to RAF

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