JOINT BASE BALAD - When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to fly troops and cargo around, one should look no further than TF 38's C-23 Sherpa unit, F Co, 1st Bn, 207th Tactical Aviation Regt.
The C-23 Sherpa is twin turboprop, boxy-shaped cargo plane that, according to the unit's Soldiers, is very dependable. "It's very reliable and because of that reliability, it's very useful here in Iraq," said Sgt. Carlos Melgar, a flight engr with F Co.
"This airplane is a workhorse," said Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Dughman, the senior enlisted Soldier for F Co. "The airplane is so cost effective over here. The engines have been in service a long time, have been refined, and are on a lot of aircraft."
According to 1st Sgt. Cliff Long, an F Co flight engr, the 58-foot long C-23 can carry 3 tons of a combination of fuel, equipment and personnel, which varies depending on mission requirements. "The Sherpa can carry blood, bullets, weapons, troops like you wouldn't believe," he said of the plane's versatility.
According to one of the unit's pilots, Chief Warrant Officer Paul Moore, the Sherpas were much like the freight companies in the states. "We've cornered the Army niche of when it positively, absolutely has to be there overnight, the Sherpas deliver," said Moore.
