First Travis C-17A officially named ‘Spirit of Solano’

  • Published
  • By 060303
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif --  The base is excited to announce their proposed name for their first C-17A, “Spirit of Solano” has been approved. 

Travis AFB is expecting the first of 13 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in July. 

Colonel Zadalis, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, proudly announced at the Major Join ceremony at the Boeing plant in Long Beach, Calif. March 17, that, after production, the aircraft will be dedicated to the local community for their ongoing support. 

“The surrounding communities of Solano have been terrific in their unwavering support of our base here in Northern California,” said Col. Michael Shanahan, C-17 Program Integration Office chief. “It seems fitting that we salute that commitment by naming the first C-17A after the community.” 

At last week’s ceremony, Colonel Zadalis thanked the Boeing team for producing such a high-quality aircraft for Travis and raving about the benefits the C-17A will give to the base. 

“Travis already has the premier tanker with the KC-10 Extender and the strategic airlift workhorse of the Air Force, the C-5 Galaxy,” he said. “The combination of strategic aircraft and tactical theater airlift capabilities the C-17 brings will truly make Travis the gateway to the Pacific and the premier mobility wing fighting the Global War on Terrorism. We continue to be America’s First Choice now more than ever.” 

The 60th and 349th AMWs will be the only units to concurrently operate three weapons systems within the Air Force. 

“The C-17’s agility is certainly well known. It has become the transporter of choice around the world, taking the fight to the enemy,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Gisler, Jr, 349th AMW commander. 

This extraordinary aircraft will increase both the active duty and Reserve wings’ ability to accomplish the Total Force, global-reach mission, which is critical to the GWOT. 

“In the big picture we simply can not keep pace with the GWOT without the assistance of our Reserve partners,” said Colonel Shanahan. “They have in every way, an equal role to play with the C-17A. In fact, my staff has a full-time Reservist dedicated to ensuring we bed-down this great aircraft properly. My office touches every aspect of the C-17 bed-down and to that end, we could not do it without the inputs of the 349th – they have been great partners!” 

Assembly on the first C-17 for the Travis Team began in September at the Boeing Long Beach factory. 

Since then, thousands of Boeing technicians, engineers and mechanics have worked to produce the major components for this C-17 military transport plane being assembled for the Travis Team. 

-30-