By Ian Thompson
A C-17 Globemaster taxis in front of Travis servicemembers and community members in this file photo. (Photo by Ian Thompson/Daily Republic)
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE - The sixth C-17 Globemaster III jet transport to call Travis Air Force Base home is expected to arrive today with a flightline ceremony, the Travis Public Affairs Office announced.
Dubbed the Spirit of the Golden Gate, the C-17 will be flown up from the Boeing aircraft factory in Long Beach by Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Allan Poulin.
This is the third such C-17 to be given its own name, preceded by the Spirit of Solano and the Spirit of the Golden Bear which already fly missions out of Travis.
Poulin is expected to hand over the "official keys" to the aircraft to Tech. Sgt. Daniel Taylor of the Air Force Reserve's 945th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Staff Sgt. Randy Karels of the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
The first of 13 C-17s to be based at Travis arrived Aug. 8. The remainder of the aircraft are expected to arrive during 2007.
The aircraft are being flown by the 21st Airlift Squadron and the Air Force Reserve 301st Airlift Squadron.
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
