VR-58's new C-40 Clipper makes its first landing at NAS Jax. Photo by PH1(AW) Darryl Herring

VR-58 gets new C-40 Clipper
New arrival replaces C-9B Skytrain

From VR-58

VR-58 celebrated the arrival of its new aircraft, the C-40 Clipper, on March 28. The C-40, the military's version of the civilian 737-700C passenger aircraft and the newest aircraft in the Navy inventory, is replacing the C-9B Skytrain, which VR-58 flew for 23 years. VR-58 was the second squadron to fly the C-40. Fort Worth, Texas-based VR-59, home of the Fleet Logistics Support Wing, was the first squadron to fly the new plane last year.

With the arrival of the C-40, VR-58 will continue to perform its same mission, moving people and cargo, but will do it cheaper and more efficiently. The C-40 will set new standards for performance, low-cost operations and reliability for the fleet logistics support mission.

The squadron will fly the aircraft in one of three different configurations: 1) the all-passenger rig, which will carry 121 passengers, compared to 90 passengers for the C-9B, 2) the all-cargo rig, which can carry 41,000 pounds, compared to 25,000 pounds for the C-9B, and 3) the combination rig, which can carry three pallets of cargo and 70 passengers, compared to three pallets and 45 passengers for the C-9B.

VR-58 said farewell to its last C-9B Skytrain aircraft on Dec. 13, 2001 when Lt. Cmdr. Jeff McRobert and Lt. Cmdr. Hobie Anderson flew the squadron's last C-9B mission to San Diego, Calif., and then to NAS Norfolk, Va. VR-56, the NAS Norfolk C-9 squadron, took possession of the aircraft on arrival.

''It's exciting, and an honor and privilege to get to take the last squadron flight. But it's kind of sad that we won't see these flying for our squadron anymore. We are very excited and proud, however, about the arrival of our new aircraft, and we can't wait to start flying that,'' said McRobert.

The C-40 Clipper is replacing the Naval Reserve's aging C-9B fleet, of which 25 percent are more than 31 years old. There are 27 C-9B aircraft spread among six C-9B squadrons around the country.

VR-58 started flying the C-9B Skytrain in April, 1978, six months after the establishment of the squadron at NAS Jacksonville. The squadron's active-duty and selected reservist personnel have provided seven days a week, around-the-clock worldwide logistical support for all Department of Defense agencies ever since. The six Naval Reserve squadrons like VR-58 provide 100 percent of the Navy's worldwide in-theater medium and heavy logistics airlift support.

The complete Naval Reserve transition to the C-40 will be a gradual shift from the old to the new, with a different squadron upgrading from the C-9 to the C-40 about every 12 months. VR-58, meanwhile, transferred it's C-9B Skytrains, named after the venerable R4D transport aircraft of World War II and Berlin Airlift fame, to it's sister squadrons in Norfolk and Philadelphia to upgrade the remaining C-9 fleet.

Even though VR-58 has been without any aircraft since January, squadron personnel have spent thousands of man-hours preparing for the C-40's arrival by completing all necessary ground and maintenance schools and simulator training.

''The initial training for the C-40 is state-of-the-art computer based training, or CBT, which is done right in our own VR-58 squadron hangar.

Maintenance and aircrew schooling takes place in Atlanta, and simulator training takes place at Boeing training facilities in Seattle and Flight Safety Interna-tional training facilities in Miami,'' said VR-58 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Gary Weistroffer.

''The C-40 is a tremendous aircraft that our entire squadron couldn't wait to get its hands on.''

With superior range and performance compared to the C-9B, 777-type cockpit, updated avionics, Boeing Business Jet wings and quiet, clean, fuel efficient engines, the C-40 will increase VR-58's capability for rapid response to the fleet's worldwide airlift requirements. And they cannot wait to get back in business.