105th Airlift Wing is invited media to cover the opening of a new C-17 Combined Test Center at Stewart Air National Guard Base on Sept. 12

Media Advisory

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. (09/07/2026) — The New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the latest outpost of the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Stewart Air National Guard Base.

Members of the press are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center's C-17 Combined Test Force.

WHO: Leaders of the 105th Airlift Wing and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, abbreviated as AATC.

WHAT: A ribbon cutting ceremony to open the offices of this tenant unit at Stewart Air National Guard Base and officially established the Combined Test Center which will focus on upgrading the performance of the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

AATC was created in 1987 in order to improve the performance of aircraft operated by the Air Force's Reserve Components.

The idea to establish an operational test unit originated in 2022 when the 105th Airlift Wing was asked to test microvane drag reduction technology. Microvanes --4x16-inch, 3D-printed strips, were installed on the rear of the C-17 to test their impact on fuel efficiency. Following a multi-year testing process, microvanes have enhanced mission capability and fuel efficiency at the 105th.

The 105th then began looking for more ways to enhance the capabilities of the C-17 through testing and development, which led to the activation of the C-17 Combined Test Force as a specialized test detachment.

In addition to microvane testing, they explored mission control technology with partnering agencies Rockwell Collins and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026

WHERE: Stewart Air National Guard Base, 1 Maguire Way, Newburgh, New York, 12550

RSVP: Media personnel must RSVP to the 105th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9th.

Follow this link: https://dbids-global-enroll.dmdc.mil/preenrollui/#/landing-page and fill out the required information. The 105th PA office is the sponsor.

Email the 6-digit code back to the 105th PA office, along with your full name, date of birth, and front and back photos of your ID.

ID must be Real or Enhanced, otherwise a standard ID must be accompanied by a passport or social security card.

Email all information to 105.AW.PA.Mailbox.Org@us.af.mil

BACKGROUND:

The 105th Airlift Wing operates nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, the most flexible cargo aircraft in the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of cargo or troops to operating bases across the world, can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions, and can execute aeromedical evacuations.

The C-17 CTF, established in the fall of 2025, is responsible for the development, testing and fielding of technologies that will benefit the 105th Airlift Wing's nine aircraft, as well as the entire fleet of U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs.

The Combined Test Force is not a part of the 105th Airlift Wing, but will work with the wing to develop improvements to the C-17's capabilities.

The C-17 Test Detachment is currently working on multiple other projects. They are testing adaptor improvements for the multiplex bus fault isolator by testing various adaptors' functionality within the C-17. They are also exploring use of the battlefield assisted trauma distributed observation kit, which will enhance patient care on aeromedical missions, and testing the airlift/tanker open mission system, aimed at providing secure airborne connectivity that will give aircrew an information advantage.

The most recent project the detachment has taken on is electric ground power unit testing. The C-17 is currently powered by an external, fuel-powered generator while on the ground to enable the use of many of the aircraft's functions, and the CTF is testing three advanced battery-powered ground power units to determine if they can support the requirements for power during ground operations.