Air Force's Third Globemaster Arrives in Australia

(February 12, 2008) -- The Royal Australian Air Force's third Boeing C-17A Globemaster III arrived at RAAF Amberley for the first time today.

The aircraft joined two other giant Globemasters already in service with No. 36 Squadron. The C-17 project's $2.2 billion budget includes the construction of permanent facilities for No. 36 Squadron and supporting agencies at RAAF Amberley.

"This aircraft is the third of four Globemasters for Australia and continues a growth in RAAF's Responsive Global Airlift Capability," Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd said.

"Globemasters are already demonstrating their value in Australian Defence Force operations and exercises, supporting other ADF activities and humanitarian and disaster relief."

Air Force accepted this third aircraft from Boeing in the United States last December. Since then the aircraft has been fitted with self protection equipment.

The fourth Globemaster will arrive at Amberley in early March, two years to the month after it was announced that Air Force would receive four C-17s.

Australia's first C-17 was delivered in December 2006, with the second aircraft arriving in May 2007.

"Air Force has introduced this strategic asset safely, efficiently and in a very short period. The success of the C-17 project highlights the outstanding cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force, Defence Materiel Organisation, the Boeing Company and US Air Force." Air Marshal Shepherd said.

Source : DoD Australia

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