A C-5M Super Galaxy crew from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover AFB carried out the first west-to-east nonstop cargo delivery flight from the continental US to Afghanistan on 25-26 September 2011. The flight marked the first time a C-5M was flown from Dover, across the Atlantic, over Europe, and into Afghanistan. Total flight time was less than fourteen hours, cutting time off traditional routing and eliminating the need for crews to overnight in Germany. The new route not only showcased the capabilities of the airframe, but also supported ongoing Department of Defense efficiency initiatives by increasing airlift frequency and reducing the logistics footprint. The C-5M was refueled in flight by a US KC-135R Stratotanker crew from RAF Mildenhall, England.
