LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 24, 2001 -- The Boeing Company today delivered the fourth and final C-17 Globemaster III military cargo aircraft to the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) during ceremonies at the company's production facility here.
The four C-17s for the United Kingdom are leased under a seven-year agreement with Boeing. They will be part of the United Kingdom's Joint Rapid Reaction Force.
This aircraft will join the other U.K. C-17s at RAF Brize Norton after a stop at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina to pick up support equipment. Wing Commander Malcolm Brecht, commander of the RAF's 99 Squadron, piloted the aircraft to Charleston.
The United Kingdom is the first international customer for the C-17 Globemaster III. To date, RAF C-17's have flown more than 200 hours.
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