By Christian P. Martin
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Scott Air Force Base is home to several highly important aircraft that enable the United States Air Force to maintain its operational effectiveness. While aircraft operating out of Scott AFB may not be constantly on the front page or on the front page at all, they are, nonetheless, valued assets for the Air Force's mission.
Detailing Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base (AFB) is home of the 375th Air Mobility Wing (AMW). The base itself is located in southern Illinois, 30 minutes east of St. Louis, Missouri. Scott AFB extends across 13,589 acres. Within this area, there are 59 miles of roads and 1,595 housing units.
The 375th AMW is known as the “Showcase Wing.” Its primary mission is to provide unsurpassed air mobility operations. This mission is accomplished via its fleet of C-21 aircraft and Total Force partnerships with the Air Force (USAF) Reserve and National Guard components and their KC-135 refueling aircraft and C-40 personnel transport aircraft.
Photo: USAF | Wikimedia Commons
Specifically, Scott AFB has (12) C-21s, (8) KC-135s tankers (USAF National Guard), and (4) C-40s (USAF Reserve). Together, these aircraft provide for the airlift of senior leaders of the US government, aeromedical evacuation for wounded warriors, and critical refueling capabilities.
According to the Department of Defense Military Installations Guide, Scott AFB is operated by, supported by, or supports:
- 5,000 Active Duty
- 1,500 AF Reserves
- 1,100 Air National Guard Members
- 8,200 Family Members
- 5,300 Government Civilians
- 2,400 Contractors
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The executive class C-21
The C-21 is the USAF version of the Learjet 35A business jet. It serves three primary purposes: rapid transport of distinguished visitors and senior-level military personnel, aeromedical/ambulatory services, and courier services.
In terms of providing shuttle service, the C-21 crews will fly generals, Pentagon officials, foreign dignitaries, or any high-level personnel who need to be in a certain location at great speed.
Photo: USAF
According to Major Angus MacDonald, a C-21 pilot:
“The C-21 is the connective tissue to bring those leaders directly to the units that need that information and need it in person, that’s literally what we do.”
For medical services, the C-21 can transport five patients for emergency care. The aircraft also has an electrical source for any variety of life-support equipment that a patient may require.
Photo: USAF
With regard to courier services, the C-21 can transport critical or time-sensitive materials quickly.
Air and Space Forces Magazine states:
“U-2 spy plane logistics, blood supplies for partner forces fighting ISIS, and other important cargo. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, C-21 crews flew classified air tasking orders and intelligence photos to units that could not receive them otherwise.”
Information table for the C-21
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Primary Function | Passenger and cargo airlift |
Contractor | Learjet, Inc. |
Power Plant | Two Garrett TFE-731-2-2B turbofan engines |
Thrust | 3,500 pounds each engine |
Maximum Takeoff Weight | 8,300 pounds |
Length | 48 feet, 7 inches |
Height | 12 feet, 3 inches |
Wingspan | 39 feet, 6 inches |
Fuel Capability | 931 gallons |
Speed | 530 mph |
Range | 2,306 miles |
Ceiling | 45,000 feet |
Maximum Load | Eight passengers and 3,153 pounds |
Crew | Two (pilot and copilot); aeromedical evacuation adds medical crew of three (one flight nurse and two medical technicians) |
Unit Cost | $3.1 million (Fiscal 1996 constant dollars) |
Initial Operating Capability | April, 1984 |
Current Inventory | Active Duty: 19; ANG: 0; AFRC: 0 |
Details provided by the USAF
C-40, the office in the sky
The C-40 was designed to function as an “Office in the Sky” for senior military officers and government officials. As such, reliable, secure communication is crucial. Thus, the C-40 provides broadband data/video transmission and reception capabilities and secure voice and data communication.
According to Cornell University:
"...the primary duties of the commander of a combatant command shall be as follows:
(A)To produce plans for the employment of the armed forces to execute national defense strategies and respond to significant military contingencies.
(B)To take actions, as necessary, to deter conflict.
(C)To command United States armed forces as directed by the Secretary and approved by the President.”
Photo: USAF
The 11 geographical commands of the US military span the entire Earth and the space and cyber domains. The C-40 provides any of the 11 Combatant Commanders with the ability to carry on their roles and responsibilities (which are enormous) while on the move, within their command or moving from one command to another if necessary.
Photo: USAF
Secure internet and phone services, as well as TV, are available for the execution of official tasks. There are also monitors and copying machines.
For an in-depth look at the Combatant Commands click HERE
Information table for the C-40
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Primary Function | High-priority personnel transport |
Prime Contractor | Boeing (airframe) and CFM International (engines) |
Power Plant | Two GE CFM 56-7B27 turbofan engines |
Thrust | 27,000 pounds static thrust each engine |
Length | 110 feet, 4 inches |
Height | 41 feet, 2 inches |
Maximum Takeoff Weight | 171,000 pounds |
Wingspan | 117 feet, 5 inches |
Cruise Speed | 322 mph |
Ceiling | 41,000 feet |
Fuel Capability | 60,000 pounds |
Maximum Range | 4,500 to 5,000 nautical miles (based on payload) unrefueled range |
Maximum Load | C-40B: 26 to 32 passengers; C-40C: 42 to 111 passengers |
Crew | 10 (varies with model and mission) |
Date Deployed | Feb. 28, 2003 |
Unit Cost | $70 million |
Inventory | Active force, 4; Air National Guard, 3; Air Force Reserve, 4 |
Details provided by the USAF
The KC-135 Stratotanker
The Air Mobility Command's tanker aircraft extend the flight's duration and the time-on-target of combat aircraft and make it possible for long-haul flights, which aids in making American power projection possible.
Photo: USAF
Of course, the KC-135 is part of this equation, and it has been providing its valuable services since 1965. Since that time, some of the aircraft in this fleet of 414 tankers have been altered to provide other services, such as command post missions, reconnaissance, and observation platforms for the Open Skies Treaty.
Information table for the KC-135 Stratotanker
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Primary Function | Aerial refueling and airlift |
Prime Contractor | The Boeing Company |
Power Plant | CFM International CFM-56 turbofan engines |
Thrust | 21,634 pounds each engine |
Wingspan | 130 feet, 10 inches |
Length | 136 feet, 3 inches (41.53 meters) |
Height | 41 feet, 8 inches (12.7 meters) |
Speed | 530 miles per hour at 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) |
Ceiling | 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) |
Range | 1,500 miles (2,419 kilometers) with 150,000 pounds (68,039 kilograms) of transfer fuel; ferry mission, up to 11,015 miles (17,766 kilometers) |
Maximum Takeoff Weight | 322,500 pounds (146,285 kilograms) |
Maximum Transfer Fuel Load | 200,000 pounds (90,719 kilograms) |
Maximum Cargo Capability | 83,000 pounds (37,648 kilograms), 37 passengers |
Pallet Positions | 6 |
Crew | Three: pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Some KC-135 missions require the addition of a navigator. |
Aeromedical Evacuation Crew | A basic crew of five (two flight nurses and three medical technicians) is added for aeromedical evacuation missions. Medical crew may be altered as required by the needs of patients. |
Unit Cost | $39.6 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars) |
Date Deployed | August 1956 |
Inventory | Active duty, 153; Air National Guard, 171; Air Force Reserve, 72 |
Details provided by the USAF
Scott Air Force Base, making the connections
Through the services of Scott AFB’s C-21, C-40, and KC-135 fleet, numerous and highly important tasks are accomplished within the shortest possible timeframe. While these aircraft, while not as well-known as a B-52, F-35, or C-17, nonetheless play an instrumental role in the Air Force's daily operations.
America’s ability to project military force on a global scale and maintain command effectiveness depends greatly on the services of these aircraft and the personnel who operate and maintain these aircraft at Scott Air Force Base.
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- Military Aviation
- Airports
- Guides
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