C-9 completes last U.S. mission

(EXCERPT) by 2nd Lt. Nicole Barnum 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/19/2003 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- Airmen prepared for
Air Evac 696's Aug. 18 mission as they would for any other. But this
was not like any other mission.

The aircraft, a C-9A Nightingale, was embarking on the 375th Airlift
Wing's last scheduled C-9 aeromedical evacuation flight. In fact, it
was the last operational C-9 AE flight in the continental United
States, officials said. The flights have originated here since 1968.

"Since its inception, the C-9A has been the 'Cadillac' of aeromedical
evacuation," said Lt. Col. Ron Langford, 11th Airlift Squadron
commander. "(This) is a sad day for those of us who've flown or worked
on the C-9. There is no more rewarding mission than helping your
fellow soldier, sailor and airman return home to family and friends
after sacrificing so much for this country. In the AE business, we got
to briefly brush paths with the true heroes of this nation."

The last mission included one litter patient, several Army patients
returning home from operations in Iraq and several space-available
travelers. The aircraft flew first to Fort Campbell, Ky., then on to
Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana, and finally dropped
of...

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com