Lajes Airmen refuel Naval "Greyhound'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Two C-2A Greyhounds stopped at Lajes Field for a "gas-and-go" Jan. 21, while providing critical logistics support from a Carrier Strike Group in San Diego, Calif.

The C-2s belong to the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40), also known as the "Rawhides." Before coming to Lajes, the team of aircraft and crew, led by officer in charge LCDR Chris Dotson, took off from the USS Enterprise and was on its way to Spain.

As one of the unique military cargo aircraft, the C-2's engine-starting capability and ground power self-sufficiency in remote areas provide an operational versatility found in no other cargo aircraft. Despite the aircraft's versatility, in order to make it across the Atlantic, it requires one thing from Lajes Airmen - fuel supply.

While at Lajes, the aircraft, primarily used by the U.S. Navy to transport high-priority cargo, mail and passengers between carriers, consumed more than 2,000 gallons of fuel.

"The Navy is part of our sister services, and supplying any Navy aircraft is no different than any aircraft in the Department of Defense inventory," said Sergeant Stellflug, 65th Air Base Wing Fuels Service Center NCO in charge. "Our job here is to refuel all aircraft that stop at Lajes."

The C-2A has a cargo ramp/door and a powered winch that allow straight-in rear cargo loading and unloading for fast turnaround. The in-flight ramp opens for airdrop of supplies and personnel.