Engineers, testers and support staff working on the Eglin Air Force Base range enjoyed a fireworks display the last two weeks courtesy of the Air Force’s largest aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy. The goal of Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron’s testing was to increase aircraft and crew combat survivability by evaluating and fielding improved defensive systems capabilities. Eglin AFB was the prime site for this testing due to its one-stop shopping for this test type.
For the 9th Airlift Squadron’s operational aircrew, the chance to participate in countermeasures testing and to release flares going 300 knots at 1,500 feet was a unique opportunity not to be missed. The 436th Airlift Wing’s 247-foot long, 65-foot tall giant and aircrew from Dover AFB, Delaware, visited the Florida panhandle for defensive countermeasures testing. Each night the aircraft flew into an area of the range and released more than 15 flares. This process was repeated several times from different range entry points and angles throughout the night.
“AMC brings aircraft and crew and everything else is ready for us. There are rare situations when the aircraft does pop flares,” said Capt. Bryan Chanson, 9th AS pilot. The crew is usually focused primarily on flying out or away from the potential threat and hoping flares do their intended jobs. The testing allowed us to gain the situational awareness to concentrate on flare dispense in a safe environment,”Jim Bonn AMCTES test director.
The 46th Test Squadron was responsible for the Eglin-based test planning and execution for the entirety of the Super Galaxy’s test. Flare testing requires support from many Eglin units and external organizations. The C-5 testing was just the start of a two-month test program. Through the end of June, the 96th Cyberspace Test Group will execute flare testing on four more aircraft from Air Force Special Operations Command, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command Test Center and AMC.A MCTES test directors will provide AMC headquarters with a detailed analysis.
