Group honors Globemaster III
Brad Nettles
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.
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Posted by mac0cm4 on June 14, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Photo caption is wrong - it should read 15 years ago today, not 'year ago today.'