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June 25 -- President Obama signed the FY 2009 Supplemental Defense Spending bill, which included $2.17 billion in funding for an additional eight C-17 airlifters.
June 22 -- Boeing delivered the U.S. Air Force's 189th C-17 Globemaster III. After completing a defensive modification in San Antonio, Texas, the airlifter will be assigned to Charleston AFB, South Carolina.
June 18 -- The U.S. Senate approved the FY09 Supplemental Defense Spending bill with funding for eight C-17s.
May 20 -- Two U.S. Air Force C-17 airlifters delivered humanitarian aid to Pakistan's northwestern provinces to support residents displaced by fighting between government forces and the Taliban. The C-17s were sent in response to a specific request from the Pakistani government. The C-17s are delivering 125,000 meals and 50 tents.
May 13 -- A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and its crew, operating in conjunction with U.S. Southern Command efforts, delivered 30,000 H1N1 influenza prevention kits to six South American countries.
Go to the C-17 Tutorial (clicking on this link will open a new browser window)
The C-17 Globemaster III
A high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s.
Capabilities and Functionality
The C-17's ability to fly long distances and land in remote airfields in rough, land-locked regions make it a premier transporter for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. It can:
- Take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, refuel while in flight and land in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night.
- Carry a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1. Three Bradley infantry-fighting vehicles comprise one load.
- Drop a single 60,000-lb. payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 lb.
- Back up a two-percent slope.
- Seat 54 on the sidewall and 48 in the centerline.
Additional Information
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