Isle Guard prepares
for cargo jet squadron

The Hawaii Air National Guard has begun turning in C-130 propeller-driven transports in anticipation of being part of a C-17 cargo jet squadron.

The C-17 squadron will be the first outside the continental United States and should be operational at Hickam Air Force Base before the end of the decade.

This morning, Hickam officials will break ground for the new 535th Airlift Squadron, which will have eight C-17 Globemaster four-engine jets. Each jet can each carry 102 soldiers or 85 tons of cargo.

The 174-foot C-17s are considered a vital link in the Pentagon's plan to make the Army more mobile since they are supposed to airlift the 25th Infantry Division's new Stryker brigade anywhere in the world in 96 hours.

Last year, Maj. Gen. Gary Trexler, Pacific Air Forces director of air and space operations, told Hawaii legislators and business leaders that the total cost of the project, which also includes stationing eight C-17s in Alaska, will be $152.7 million.

More than $62 million was approved by Congress last year to begin the first phase of the C-17 project at Hickam. The funds included $10.8 million for squadron operations, $30.5 million for corrosion control and maintenance, $5.7 million for a flight simulator, $8.1 million for a maintenance facility, $4.5 million to begin building support utilities and $3.3 million to upgrade Kuntz Gate and the adjacent road.

An additional $25.9 million has been requested by the Pentagon this year to continue projects to prepare Hickam for the transport jets.

Maj. Chuck Anthony, National Guard spokesman, said the Air Guard's 204th Airlift Squadron initially was issued five C-130s, and all will have been returned to the Air Force by 2006.

Although the 204th will remain as a Hawaii Air National Guard unit, its pilot and air crews will fly for the Air Force's new 535th Airlift Squadron. There will be 98 active-duty positions in the 535th, while the roster in the Air Guard's 204th will climb to 240 from 140 with half of the positions devoted to flight operations.

The first of the eight C-17 Globemasters is scheduled to arrive at Hickam in January 2006.