UK Ministry of Defence,
The sixth C-17 Globemaster ZZ176 to arrive in the UK was delivered to RAF Brize Norton yesterday evening, 2 July 2008.
Collected from the Boeing Factory in Longbeach, California on 11 June 2008, the aircraft has since been used for essential front-line crew training.
Upon landing at its home base of Brize Norton, the aircraft was rapidly prepared for operations as in only 18 hours after its delivery, it will see its first operational mission in support of Operation Valero, the 2 Rifles depoyment to Kosovo.
As well as being able to carry loads of up to 75 tonnes and fly long distances (up to 2,400 miles) the C-17's ability to land on unpaved airfields in remote, land-locked regions make it a versatile transport aircraft, equally suited for a variety of missions.
Delivered early, the arrival of the sixth C-17 in the UK marks a significant increase in the RAF’s airlift capability. Wing Commander Edwards, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron said:
“The C-17 fleet with its agility and reach is absolutely vital to current operational theatres. It is especially important for the support of ground forces and particularly in land-locked Afghanistan. The arrival of UK6 at RAF Brize Norton will bring immediate benefit to UK troops all over the world.”
The RAF purchased four leased aircraft and a fifth C-17 in 2006. The arrival of a sixth, will give the RAF a guaranteed long-term capacity in this area. The new C-17 aircraft joins the rest of the fleet at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
