Join us for an exclusive C-17 Tour with the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 5 at Joint Base Charleston!
C-17 Tour
Join us for an exclusive C-17 Tour with the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 5 at Joint Base Charleston! Get up close and personal with deconstructed components of the C-17, one of the most versatile aircraft in the U.S. Air Force fleet. This in-person event will give you a unique opportunity to see the inner workings of this impressive aircraft and learn about its capabilities from knowledgeable personnel. We will stop before the tour at the Red Horse Squadron for lunch and hear a brief presentation from Maj. Patel. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to experience how C-17 personnel are trained up close!
Presentation: RED HORSE and Establishing Airfield Capability in the Pacific
In support of the DoD Pacific Deterrence Initiative, significant investment is being made by DoD services and federal agencies to support infrastructure improvement and expedient air basing within the Pacific area of responsibility. With the inception of the 356 Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, the U.S. Air Force alone plans to support large airfield rehabilitation and restoration efforts on many remote airfields along the Northern Mariana Islands. Major roadblocks for U.S. troops and contractors tasked to revive these airstrips include the geographic limitations associated with distance and logistics, construction challenges such as materials, means, and equipment available, and ultimately the potential of a new and unknown mission to bed down.
This presentation covers the nuances of airfield planning and construction in the Pacific, the pacing challenge and possible solutions to aid our servicemembers and contractors to complete the mission. Topic covered will include current airfield planning considerations for pavement design and construction, airfield geometrics and clear space factors, DoD and FAA airfield specifications and criteria, pacing threat, needs for these airfields, and potential missions they will support in the Pacific Theater.
Speaker: Major Arpan Patel, PE, USAF, 560th Red Horse Squadron, Director of Operations
Arpan Patel is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and has a Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. Arpan served in base civil engineering assignments ranging from project management and design, as well as led the Air Force Airfield Pavement Evaluation (APE) Team under AFCEC. He now serves as the Director of Operations for the 560th Red Horse Squadron at Charleston AFB, SC, leading over 200 personnel and directing the Operations, Engineering, Logistics, Financial, and Mission Support functions of the heavy operations construction unit. His experience and current assignments are worldwide and he recently helped found the 356th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, supporting Pacific theater requirements on behalf of Pacific Air Forces HQ. Arpan serves as a Director on the SAME National Board of Direction advising on the strategic goals, programs, funding decisions for over 20,000 members comprising over 100 posts. Arpan enjoys exploring Charleston, and spending time as a small part of a large extended family, who he visits often.
Schedule:
10:45: Arrive at gravel lot on S. Aviation Ave. (see location details below) and board bus
11:00: Depart gravel lot
1115 – 1145: Boxed Lunch and 560 Red Horse Squadron: Unclassed Mission Brief – Red Horse and Agile Combat Employment (ACE), 560 RHS Bldg 729
1145 – 1200: Depart for Flightline to C-17 Static tour
1200 – 1245: C-17 Static Tour
1245 – 1300: Buses return to Gravel Lot and participants depart
Notes:
Bus capacity is limited to 40 people. If you have a CAC card and can enter Joint Base Charleston, please drive separately to maximize participation. Bus is for those that do not have CAC cards. If you are driving separately, meet at the Red Horse Squadron and you will walk to the flightline with JBC personnel.
JBC personnel will escort you onto the flightline/into a maintenance hangar to a static C17 aircraft.
The group will be met by a pilot/loadmaster/maintainers that will guide us around the inside and outside of the aircraft and answer any questions.
You will have access inside to the cargo area as well as the flight deck.
Photography is permitted inside the aircraft, but will not be permitted on the flightline.
Not permitted: hats, backpacks/computer bags/baggage/luggage (small purses/fanny packs are ok), loose clothing that can blow away while on the flightline.
Location Information:
Gravel lot on S. Aviation Ave:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9PDvrqBCjTRsvh1E8
32.913031, -80.044547
560 Red Horse Squadron:
200 W. Steward Ave., Building 729 Auditorium
Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404