Air Force to ship 18 cargo planes to Afghanistan Published Oct. 17, 2008 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The deal is done for the Air Force to ship 18 G-222 cargo planes to the Afghanistan National Army Air Corp. Officials signed the $287 million contract at Robins on Sept. 29. The Italian-built planes are being purchased from Alenia North America and will be refurbished, with 16 to serve as medium tactical support transport aircraft and two others will get VIP configurations to serve as aircraft for the president of Afghanistan. The contract calls for shipment to begin in September of next year with deliveries to continue through 2011. Although Robins won't be doing any work on the planes, the contract was signed here because the program office is here, said Debbie Mashburn, the security assistance program manager. The planes are known in the U.S. Air Force as the C-27A Spartan, though the Air Force no longer uses the planes. The planes are capable of delivering 10 tons of cargo, transporting vehicles and providing medical evacuation for 36 patients, according to Ms. Mashburn. She said the Air Force has determined that the planes are vital to helping the Afghanistan government rapidly provide humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation and logistic support throughout the country. The G-222, she said, has a reputation as a rugged aircraft that is well suited for take off and landing from unprepared and short landing strips.