RAF's Fifth C-17 Aircraft Arrives in the UK

UK Ministry of Defence, The RAF's fifth C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft flew into RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, yesterday, Monday 7 April 2008. 
 
The new aircraft, ZZ175, arrived from the Boeing plant in San Antonio, Texas, where it went for additional work following the 'Fly Away' ceremony at Long Beach, California, in February 2008. ZZ175 has joined 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton and is the first C-17 of the five to be owned outright by the RAF, the previous aircraft having been operated under a leasing arrangement from manufacturer Boeing. However, as the lease terminates later this year, the other four aircraft will then transfer to full RAF ownership. 
 
On arrival at Brize Norton the new aircraft was greeted with traditional plumes of spray from the RAF station's fire tenders and 99 Squadron's Standard was paraded and inspected by the Reviewing Officer, Air Marshal Sir Barry Thornton, the RAF's Chief of Materiel (Air), following a ceremonial flypast by a Tristar and a VC-10 aircraft from other squadrons based at Brize Norton: 
 
“Since 99 Squadron has been operating C-17 in support of coalition operations, it has not been uncommon for three of the four aircraft to be all away in the operational theatre at the same time,” Sir Barry explained. “Our theatres of operation are landlocked and surrounded by inhospitable terrain, which puts significant pressure on our aircraft. This fifth, and soon the sixth aircraft, will assist in alleviating this pressure. 
 
“This additional aircraft will boost significantly the capacity of the airbridge. Over the past seven years the C-17 has proved itself to be an extremely rugged, reliable and capable platform.” 
 
Sir Barry also said that the US Air Force had agreed that the RAF could “jump the queue” on the C-17 production line thereby making it possible to satisfy an urgent requirement in theatre backed up by a global support contract with Boeing which is “an example of a modern day partnership that is working extremely well”. 
 
The arrival of the new aircraft also marked the beginning of the transformation of RAF Brize Norton into the RAF's only tanker/transport Main Operating Base with new generation aircraft such as the C-17, A400M and A330 together with the C-130J Hercules which is due to move out of RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire when it closes in a few years time. 
 
The aircraft was captained on its delivery flight by 99 Squadron Officer Commanding Wing Commander John Gladston. The co-pilot was Squadron Leader Paul Wyatt. Wg Cdr Gladston believes the Globemaster is “enormously important” to the RAF: 
 
“It is the backbone of the operational airbridge – we go into both operational locations (Iraq and Afghanistan) several times a week,” he said. 
 
C-17s frequently demonstrate their flexibility by carrying loads including up to three Warrior armoured vehicles, three Apache attack helicopters, 13 Land Rovers, a Chinook helicopter, or even Tornado F3 fighters, allowing the RAF to get the right equipment to theatre rapidly. 
 
Among others to witness the new arrival were Air Marshal Iain McNicoll, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Operations, Air Vice Marshal Andy Pulford, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group, Mr Tommy Dunehew, Program Manager – International C-17 from Boeing, and Mr James Evans, UK C-17 Integrated Project Team Leader, together with dignitaries and local government representatives from Oxfordshire. 
 
The RAF's C-17 fleet has flown approximately for 41,000 hours since delivery, and in the five years up to the end of March 2008 these hard-working aircraft flew a total of 56,924 passengers and carried a massive 78,649,939 kilograms of freight, much of it to and from operational theatres. 
 
The sixth C-17 is expected to be delivered to the RAF around the middle of this year.