Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III is a four-engined large strategic transport aircraft that forms the backbone of the US Air Forces strategic air lift forces. The aircraft harks back to the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 demonstrator of the early 1980s which won the C-X contract in the US. The C-17 was originally developed by McDonnell Douglas who then merged with Boeing in 1997. The C-17 has been designed to operate from short and narrow airfields utilising advanced blown air flaps giving it excellent STOL performance. The type can also operate from unpaved airstrips, when necessary, a capability the USAF practice in the Nevada desert on a regular basis.

The Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) operate a fleet of three C-17s which are based at Papa AB in Hungary, the aircraft also wear the markings of the Hungarian Air Force. SAC is a multinational organisation which is independent of NATO but is supported by them and is manned by personnel from 12 member nations. The aircraft provide a strategic airlift capability to SAC member nations and wider NATO allies that do not possess the capability themselves. The HAW are also the only C-17 unit outside of the USA that are qualified to use the full range of capabilities this type possesses.

Last appearing in 2022, the HAW will be sending one of their C-17s for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO.

Photo Credit: RIAT Volunteer