Reserve pilots and
loadmasters from Duke Field, Fla., are cross training to the Dornier C-146
Wolfhound light airlifter and preparing for the stand up a new squadron to
operate it, officials announced. A total of six pilots and four loadmasters
from Air Force Reserve Command's 5th Special Operations Squadron have thus far
completed Wolfhound training at Cannon AFB, N.M. AFRC and Air Force Special
Operations Command plan to activate the 49th SOS as a new associate unit to
provide aircrew training with the aircraft at Duke. "This is a
continuation of what the 5th has been doing for the past seven years"
partnering with AFSOC, said Maj. Austin White, 5th SOS Det. 1 commander in a
release.
Duke has already received a C-145/C-146 cockpit trainer, according to the
release. AFSOC is replacing the smaller Skytruck in the forward special
operations support role, and expanding the Wolfhound fleet from 16 to 23
aircraft as part of its overall fleet recap, according to officials at AFA’s
Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla.
