Nearly 14,000 missions have been flown into Afghanistan since the war on terrorism began more than a year ago. Early on, the only way in and out of the country was by airlift – mostly C-17 – and it’s still the preferred mode of travel to the distant, land-locked region.

The C-17 has literally changed the face of combat, flying strategic ranges and landing on tactical airfields, most recently in Afghanistan. The 100th C-17 was delivered on Nov. 8 to the U.S. Air Force. Air Force officials were eagerly awaiting the milestone airplane which, like those delivered before it, was quickly pressed into service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, America’s war on global terrorism.

“I see pride, I see purpose, I see proud people doing the nation’s work in putting out a product that is unequaled and unparalleled anywhere in the world,” said Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper, during a recent acceptance ceremony on delivery of a new C-17 in Long Beach, Calif.

“Thank you for all that you do,” Jumper said. “Thank you for being here today to receive these thanks from those who are scattered around the world in places we couldn’t even point to on a map a year ago. They serve proudly, just as you do here making these magnificent machines.”

The Air Force recently signed a much-anticipated agreement with Boeing to produce an additional 60 C-17s for $9.7 billion, extending the production run at the Long Beach site through at least 2008. Though the current delivery rate is 15 airplanes per year, the jet Jumper accepted joined the Air Force’s fleet 110 days ahead of the contract delivery date. That’s good news to the Air Force Wings that are flying nearly double the number of missions since last year.

“This latest contract for 60 additional aircraft is a reflection of the extraordinary capabilities this aircraft brings to our mobility fleet,” said General John Handy, commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. “It also reflects the tremendous confidence of Congress, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Transportation Command in this airplane and the team that builds it for the nation.”

The contract is certainly welcome news to the Boeing team that designs and builds the advanced airlifter.

“It’s a tribute to the thousands of dedicated people on our team that the Air Force has demonstrated its confidence in us by ordering these airplanes,” said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Airlift and Tanker programs. “It’s a privilege to produce such a vital national asset.”

Frequently cited as the most versatile airlift aircraft in history, the C-17 sustains this reputation through ongoing innovation by its design and production teams. For example, current C-17s include increased fuel capacity and a 25 percent greater range. The United Kingdom’s own fleet of four C-17s were delivered in record time and have also joined in the fight against terrorism.

The 100th C-17 delivery ceremony in Long Beach was the culmination of a year of smaller recognition events with the hundreds of individual supplier companies that comprise the world-class C-17 production team. It was a moment to reflect upon the challenges the program has faced and overcome, and a time to celebrate its many successes, including the Collier and Baldrige trophies, 30 world aviation records, and the trust and respect of the world’s greatest Air Force.