C-21: Small jet, big impact

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette | 1st Lt. Elizabeth Hoffman, C-21 pilot assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, starts up engines and runs through her preflight checklist. The C-21 is a twin turbofan engine aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift. In addition to providing cargo and passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transporting one litter or five ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations. Hoffman is deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in support Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.  

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11.21.2008

Story by Senior Airman Clinton Atkins 

379th Air Expeditionary Wing

By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When it comes to airlift, many may think bigger is better. But a small unit flying a small aircraft is making a big difference in the area of operations.

The light, compact C-21 can deliver high priority passengers and cargo faster than any heavy airlift aircraft and the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group's C-21 Detachment stands tall as the only one of its kind.

"Our mission is to provide operational support airlift and [distinguished visitor] transportation," said Lt. Col. Michael Wahler, 379 EOG C-21 Detachment commander. "Operational support airlift involves taking small groups of people or cargo around the AOR to where they are needed."

Typical airlift support includes ambulatory patients, donor blood supply, maintenance repair teams, vaccines, aircraft parts and occasionally other items.

"A normal cargo run for us is a couple hundred pounds," Wahler said. "It's very small batches of cargo. Sometimes the cargo is small enough to carry in arm. In one instance, we were scheduled to haul a single aircraft part along with a passenger. If the maintainers didn't have that part an airplane wouldn't be able to fly."

Fast and efficient, the C-21 provides the AOR with an effective option for expeditious airlift.

The cost to use a C-21 is approximately $2,500 per flying hour compared to a C-130 Hercules, which is approximately $6,000 per flying hour, said Wahler.

"Using the C-21 is a cost-effective option," said the Indiana, Pa., native. "It costs less than half of what it does to use a C-130 [Hercules] or C-17 [Globemaster III]."

By taking on the smaller missions, the C-21 detachment allows the airlift squadrons to focus on larger operations.

"You might be tying up a large aircraft for only one or two ambulatory patients," said Wahler, deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "We're the right size for that. The C-21 is a small airplane so we can pick up small groups of patients easily."

The airlift squadrons support thousands of ground troops throughout the AOR so every bit of support helps, said Capt. Kaaba Kraner, 379 EOG C-21 Detachment director of operations.

"We're here to take the pressure off of the airlift squadrons," said the Fountain Hills, Ariz., native. "We handle the small things so they can concentrate on what they do best."

The C-21 detachment has a total of 16 personnel and has three jets to support the entire AOR. Ten of them are pilots. Since September, the detachment has transported more than 70 distinguished visitors and has flown more than 245 sorties.

"Most people don't know that we actually haul cargo," said Wahler.

"We have 10 pilots and each one is averaging one mission every other day," he said.

Under their umbrella of operations, the C-21 pilots wear multiple hats to ensure mission success.

"We do it all, because we don't have loadmasters or crew chiefs," said Kraner, deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "We do the loading, unloading, piloting, navigating and ensuring passenger comfort. We run the entire mission."

All of the work is done by a two-member crew; so it's a dual-edge sword, he said.

"It's the best and worst part about the planes," Kraner said. "We get a feel for every part of the mission. You're part crew chief, loadmaster, flight engineer, mission and flight commander and protocol."

Wahler, a former KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, believes no airframe he's ever flown comes close to the C-21.

"This is my fourth airplane in the Air Force and, by far, it has the highest mission effectiveness rating of any of the aircraft I've flown," he said. "The fact that we get so much done with so few personnel gives me an incredible sense of pride."

• Date Taken: 11.21.2008
• Date Posted: 11.24.2008 02:30
• Story ID: 26700
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)