Group honors Globemaster III
The Post and Courier
A C-17 taxis toward the runway at Charleston Air Force Base in 2002. The first C-17 Globemaster III, an aircraft designed by Boeing to replace the C-141 Starlifter, was delivered to the base a year ago today. The C-17 was designed for rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo and to take the fight to the enemy.
For 15 years, the C-17 has been an integral part of humanitarian relief effortss and conflicts around the world.
Today marks the anniversary of the first C-17 cargo plane, which was delivered to the Charleston Air Force Base on June 14, 1993.
In honor of the occasion, many people involved in the early development of the plane and those present for the first delivery gathered Friday at the Embassy Suites North Charleston.
The ceremony recognized the aircraft's impact in the nation's effort to providing humanitarian aid and taking the fight to the enemy. For example, the plane flew in Bosnia during Operation Provide Promise in 1995 and after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"We're here to reflect upon a long legacy of excellence," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander.
The first 174-foot-long C-17 Globemaster III that arrived at the Charleston base was actually the first fully operational C-17 in the Air Force.
Fifty C-17s are now based in Charleston out of the 173 added to the Air Force's global airlift program since the first aircraft was delivered.
The Globemaster III is the newest and most flexible cargo aircraft, which replaced the C-141 Starlifter, and is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo.
The aircraft are produced by Boeing.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
mac0cm4 (anonymous) says...
Photo caption is wrong - it should read 15 years ago today, not 'year ago today.'
June 14, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.