Issue 235: Into the Big League

The RAAF’s first C-17 arrives

RAAF and ADF airlift capabilities have entered the big league with the arrival into Australia of the RAAF’s first Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport in early December.

The aircraft’s official welcome ceremony at Canberra Airport on December 4 came just nine months after the government commit-ted to purchase the C-17 to meet an obvious requirement for a strategic airlifter. In all, four C-17s will be delivered to the now Amberley based 36 Squadron through early 2008.