FOC for final RAAF C-17s

A RAAF C-17 Globemaster banks away from RAAF Base Richmond. (Dept of Defence)

The RAAF has declared FOC – full operational capability – for its fifth and sixth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters.

The RAAF declared FOC for its first four C-17s in 2011, but two subsequent C-17s were delivered in September 2011 (A41-210) and November 2012 (A41-211).

“I am pleased that this has been achieved within budget and on schedule,” Chief of Air Force AIRMSHL Geoff Brown said.

“The Government’s purchase of two additional C-17A Globemasters has greatly increased our ability to respond with strategic airlift in our region, when and where Air Force is needed most.”

The RAAF defines FOC as “when the entire capability can be deployed on operations. FOC considers the personnel, training, major systems, supplies, facilities and training areas, logistics, support, command and management required to deliver the full capability required.”