What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (2024)

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What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (1)

By Christian P. Martin

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What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (2)

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.

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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2

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.

What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (5)

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.

What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (6)

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.”

What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (7)

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.

What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (8)

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.

What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (9)

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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3

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What To Know About Scott Air Force Base: The Home Of The US Air Mobility Command's 'Showcase Wing' (2024)

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