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C-17 Globemaster III

(U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sgt. John McDowell)
The C-17 is the most flexible airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force's inventory. The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is the ability to rapidly project and sustain an effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U. S. interests have changed in recent years, and the size and weight of U.S. mechanized firepower and equipment have grown in response to improved capabilities of potential adversaries. This trend has significantly increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of heavy outsized cargo. As a result, additional airlift is needed to meet possible contingencies worldwide. The C-17 helps address these shortfalls in the current airlift force. The C-17 made its maiden flight on Sept. 15, 1991. The aircraft is operated by the Air Mobility Command with initial operations at Charleston AFB, S.C., with the 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve).
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C-17 Globemaster III

(U.S. Air Force photo)
Reliability and maintainability are two outstanding benefits the C-17 system brings with it. The C-17's system specifications impose a demanding set of reliability and maintainability requirements. These requirements include an aircraft mission completion success probability of 93 percent, only 18.6 aircraft maintenance manhours per flying hour, and full and partial mission capable rates of 74.7 and 82.5 percent respectively for a mature fleet with 100,000 flying hours. The McDonnell Douglas Aerospace warranty assures these figures will be met. The C-17 measures approximately 174 feet long with a 170-foot wingspan. The aircraft is powered by four fully reversible Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines (the commercial version is currently used on the Boeing 757). Each engine is rated at 40,900 pounds of thrust. The thrust reversers direct the flow of air upward and forward to avoid ingestion of dust and debris. The aircraft is operated by a crew of three (pilot, copilot and loadmaster). Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft door that accommodates military vehicles and palletized cargo. The C-17 can carry virtually all of the Army's air-transportable, outsized combat equipment. The C-17 is also able to airdrop paratroopers and cargo. Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds, and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds. With a payload of 130,000 pounds and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 feet, the C-17 has an unrefueled range of approximately 5,200 nautical miles. Its cruise speed is approximately 450 knots (.77 Mach).
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C-17 Globemaster on a training mission

(U.S. Air Force photo)
The C-17 is the most flexible airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force's inventory. The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is the ability to rapidly project and sustain an effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U. S. interests have changed in recent years, and the size and weight of U.S. mechanized firepower and equipment have grown in response to improved capabilities of potential adversaries. This trend has significantly increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of heavy outsized cargo. As a result, additional airlift is needed to meet possible contingencies worldwide. The C-17 helps address these shortfalls in the current airlift force.
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C-17A Globemaster drops flares

(U.S. Air Force photo)
The C-17 is the most flexible airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force's inventory. The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is the ability to rapidly project and sustain an effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U. S. interests have changed in recent years, and the size and weight of U.S. mechanized firepower and equipment have grown in response to improved capabilities of potential adversaries. This trend has significantly increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of heavy outsized cargo. As a result, additional airlift is needed to meet possible contingencies worldwide. The C-17 helps address these shortfalls in the current airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform theater airlift missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
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C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston AFB

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Reed)
A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston AFB, S.C., flies over the South Carolina coast enroute to an aerial refueling mission. The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
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C-17 lands on California dry lakebed

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Lasky)
A C-17 lands at Fort Irwin, Calif., on a dry lakebed. The 14th, 15th and 17th Airlift Squadrons from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., tested how dirt airstrips affect the plane. Charleston aircrews got down and dirty recently, landing at an austere airfield and dropping heavy equipment during Large Package January, an exercise held at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and Fort Irwin, Calif. The purpose of the joint exercise, conducted with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., was to improve the nation's airborne warfighting capability and validate combat aerial delivery doctrine.
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C-17 Globemaster III

(U.S. Air Force Photo)
The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States. The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is the ability to rapidly project and sustain an effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U.S. interests have changed in recent years, and the size and weight of U.S.-mechanized firepower and equipment have grown in response to improved capabilities of potential adversaries. This trend has significantly increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of large or heavy outsize cargo. As a result, newer and more flexible airlift aircraft are needed to meet potential armed contingencies, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The C-17 was designed and built with this new world order in mind.
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C-17A Globemaster III

(U.S. Air Force photo)
The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
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Operation Sustain Hope - C-17 Globemaster III departs Tirana, Albania

(U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sgt. Cesar Rodriguez)
A Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., C-17 Globemaster III departs Tirana, Albania, on Friday, April 23, 1999, after delivering cargo to Rinas Airport. Flightline operations continue around the clock for Operation Sustain Hope and NATO Operation Allied Force.
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Air Mobility personnel leave for Operation Atlas Response

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Technical Sgt. Cary Humphries)
Personnel from the 721st Air Mobility Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and maintainers from Dover Air Force Base, Del., board a C-17A Globmaster III bound for "Operation Atlas Response," on Mar. 4, 2000. The C-17A Globemaster III aircraft will take them to Huidspruit Air Force Base, South Africa, and will be the first of several flights that will arrive throughout the following weeks bringing helicopters and military personnel to assist with search and rescue and with the distribution of relief supplies in Mozambique. The C-17A is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
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Rodeo 2000- 437th AW, Charleston AFB, SC, C-17 Globemaster III

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sergeant Sean M. Worrell)
A C-17 Globemaster III from the 437th Air Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, flies away from a KC-10 Extender after being refueled off the coast of North Carolina. During Rodeo 2000, teams from all over the world will compete in areas including airdrop, aerial refueling, aircraft navigation, special tactics, short field landings, cargo loading, engine running on/offloads, aeromedical evacuations and security forces operations. From May 6 to 13, more than 80 aircraft representing more than 100 teams from 17 countries will bring in about 3,500 competitors, observers, umpires, and support people to Pope AFB, NC.
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Rodeo 2000- 446th Airlift Wing C-17 Heavy Drop

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sergeant James D. Mossman)
A C-17 Globemaster III from the 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., prepares to make a heavy drop at the Nijmegen Drop Zone, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, NC, during the Rodeo 2000 competion. Teams from all over the world are competing in areas including airdrop, aerial refueling, aircraft navigation, special tactics, short field landings, cargo loading, engine running on/offloads, aeromedical evacuations and security forces operations. From May 6 to 13, more than 80 aircraft representing more than 100 teams from 17 countries will bring in about 3,500 competitors, observers, umpires, and support people to Pope AFB, NC.
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Rodeo 2000- 62nd AW C-17 Assault Landing

(U.S. Air Force Photo Technical Sergeant James E. Lotz)
A C-17 Globemaster III of the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wa. conducts an assault landing at Holland landing zone, Ft. Bragg, N.C., on Tuesday, May 9, 2000. During Rodeo 2000, teams from all over the world will compete in areas including airdrop, aerial refueling, aircraft navigation, special tactics, short field landings, cargo loading, engine running on/offloads, aeromedical evacuations and security forces operations. From May 6 to 13, over 80 aircraft representing more than 100 teams from 17 countries will bring in about 3,500 competitors, observers, umpires, and support people to Pope AFB, NC.
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Rodeo 2000- KC-10A refuels C-17A

(U.S. Air Force Photo Technical Sergeant James E. Lotz)
A KC-10A Extender, 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Ca., refuels a C-17 Globemaster III on Thursday, May 11, 2000. During Rodeo 2000, teams from all over the world will compete in areas including airdrop, aerial refueling, aircraft navigation, special tactics, short field landings, cargo loading, engine running on/offloads, aeromedical evacuations and security forces operations. From May 6 to 13, over 80 aircraft representing more than 100 teams from 17 countries will bring in about 3,500 competitors, observers, umpires, and support people to Pope AFB, NC.
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C-17 Globemaster III at sunset

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Technical Sgt. David Richards)
A C-17 Globemaster III flies a mission in support of exercise Purple Dragon on June 17, 2000. The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
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Peace Shield 2000 - Globemasters head to Ukraine

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
A flight of C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 437th Air Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. practices troop-drop procedures prior to picking up paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, N.C. on Saturday, July 15, 2000. An international mix of 172 paratroopers are flying directly from Fort Bragg to the Ukraine are jumping in support of exercise Peace Shield 2000. Peace Shield is a Partnership for Peace exercise involving 22 countries.
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Peace Shield 2000 - C-17 streaks over the Atlantic

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Morrison)
A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., flies over the Atlantic at daybreak. On-board are paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., and members of the Ukrainian Army. The Ukraine is their destination during Peace Shield 2000, during this joint force multinational peacekeeping exercise.
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C-17 in Tanzania

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Reed)
Staff Sgt. Brad Pilgram, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., stands in the maintenance hatch to monitor the wingtip clearance of the C-17 after its arrival at Kilimanjor International Airport, Tanzania. The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the Unit.
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