NC Air National Guard transitions to C-17 aircraft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Air National Guard in Charlotte celebrated a massive transition Saturday, welcoming two C-17 aircraft.

The massive C-17 aircraft is one of eight that will be housed in Charlotte. For civilians, it means there will be a different plane flying overhead.

For the NC Air National Guard, it’s a big deal.

“It's indisputable. It gives us a flying mission for the foreseeable future,” Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk said.

For the past 47 years, the NC Air National Guard has flown C-130s.

While the old and new aircraft are cargo planes, they serve different purposes.

The C-17 can carry tons more cargo, even a helicopter, and up to a couple hundred crew members, and fly farther than the C-130s.

"The future is secure,” said Col. Troy Gerock, commander of the 145th Airlift Wing. “We have a lot more capability and we're really looking forward to a bigger part of things going on around the world now."

The aircraft change has been in the works for years.

"We've got one hangar that was built over 20 years ago, specifically for this aircraft, so this has been a long-term project,” Chief Master Sgt. David Rodriguez said.

The aircraft transition has benefits for the Charlotte region.

It means job security for 1,400 airmen; in addition, there are plans to add 100 full-time employees for maintenance, and the project means a construction investment worth tens of millions.

Cox Media Group