Lajes supports Ramstein C-37 training mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Planes land here at Lajes Field weekly for fuel and crew rest. Lajes Field Airmen provided 1,919 gallons of fuel and aided in a training mission for C-37 crew members Feb. 4.

Crew members from the 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, conducted flight training here with a C-37 Gulfstream V, which has only been assigned to Ramstein for about two months. The pilots and flight engineers of the aircraft received four weeks of simulator training in Georgia, and now the crew members are conducting mission-specific training.

The 76th AS's mission is to transport high-ranking government and Defense Department officials.

"Being able to actually conduct flight training at Lajes adds a capability that simulators cannot provide," said Master Sgt. Stephen Hellwich, 76th Airlift Squadron flight engineer.

Lajes Field doesn't just give gas to aircraft -- it provides unique capabilities to various missions.

"This is an another example of a great training opportunity that Lajes Field can provide based on its unique location," said Maj. Robert Sweeney, 65th Operations Squadron director of operations.

On average, more than 20 U.S. and international airframes transit through Lajes Field each week, making it a vital asset in the Atlantic.