Aust takes delivery of 5th C-17 aircraft

Australia has taken delivery of its fifth Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.

In a ceremony at the Boeing plant at Long Beach, California, Defence Minister Stephen Smith formally received the aircraft, only ordered in April.

It was purchased in a foreign military sale deal with the US Air Force assigning one of its already ordered aircraft to Australia.

This C-17 will join the RAAF's other C-17s with 36 Squadron based at Amberley outside Brisbane.

The four C-17s have been used extensively in recent operations, supporting Australian forces in Afghanistan and the Middle East and conducting relief missions in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick said Australia's fleet of four C-17s has been on the front lines of defence and humanitarian missions around the world, demonstrating the aircraft's great versatility and capability.

"We look forward to a continued close partnership with the Commonwealth," he said in a statement.

Boeing C-17 program manager Bob Ciesla said Boeing has enjoyed a strong partnership with the RAAF and the crews who fly the C-17 since 2006.

"With this fifth C-17, the RAAF continues to expand and extend its global airlift reach. We're certain that the C-17 we delivered today will continue to provide the reliability and versatility the RAAF has come to expect," he said.

The Commonwealth of Australia in April announced the signing of an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire its fifth C-17. The U.S. Air Force approved the Foreign Military Sale and assigned a C-17 already in production to be delivered to the RAAF.

The C-17 provides the RAAF with the capability to airlift large payloads across intercontinental distances and transport combat-ready troops to remote locations, by either landing or airdropping them directly where needed. The C-17’s unique maneuverability allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a maximum payload of 164,900 pounds (74,797 kg), the C-17 can take off and land on runway space measuring 3,000 feet (914.4 m) or less.

There are currently 235 C-17s in service worldwide – 24 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active duty, Guard and Reserve units, has 211 C-17s. Other international customers include the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defense, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India became the newest C-17 customer in June, when India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 C-17s that will be delivered in 2013-2014.

Source: LONG BEACH, Calif. - Boeing & www.news.ninemsn.com.au - Thu Sep 15 2011

Photo: Royal Australian Air Force, C-17 Globemaster III

(16.09.2011)