Yokota maintainers, firefighters train on C-5M Super Galaxy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cayla Hunt
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Members of the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and 374th Civil Engineering Squadron engaged in proficiency training on a C-5M Super Galaxy ground trainer at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 19. 

The Air Mobility Command annually donates a C-5M Super Galaxy to the 730th AMS to help Yokota personnel familiarize themselves with the aircraft. Participating Airmen were given the opportunity to learn about the general intricacies of the C-5, ensuring they were knowledgeable about its operations. 

“There are a lot of us that have never touched a C-5,” said Staff Sgt. Luke Tiffany, 730th AMS crew chief. “This opportunity is important because it’ll make it a lot easier to learn the job.”

The C-5M Super Galaxy served as the focal point for Yokota airmen to enhance their familiarity and response capabilities during emergencies, ensuring readiness for challenges ahead. The Airmen were allowed to demonstrate their ability to perform basic tasks with the aircraft and obtain necessary job qualifications. 

“A lot of people who haven't gotten fully qualified on C-5’s end up getting a lot of their training tasks done with the ground trainer because it’s the only time we have this aircraft for an extensive period,” said Tiffany. “It makes it a lot easier for those people to get those qualifications that aren't easily accessible.” 

Yokota firefighters seized the opportunity to conduct egress training, which involves learning how to safely exit an aircraft in the event of an emergency. 

“You never know when something can happen,” said Senior Airman Jacob Oseguera, 374th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter. “So if something did happen with the C-5 today, it’s important that we know what we’re doing, how to respond, what to look out for when we get there and the kind of hazards that can arise.”

The C-5M ground training, and other similar training, offers Airmen the opportunity to familiarize themselves with various aircraft, ensuring mission readiness and safety.