Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III isa 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 first USAF production C-17 was delivered in 1993 and was declared operational with the 17th Airlift Squadron in 1995. Since entering service the C-17 has served with distinction globally and was praised for its role in the Kosovo operations during 1999. During the 2021 evacuation of Kabul, a single C-17 departed Hamid Karzai International Airport with 823 Afghan citizens on board. In USAF hands, the C-17 has also appeared in a number of movies including the Transformers and Marvel franchises.

Part of the USAF Air Force Reserve Command, the 701st Airlift Squadron from the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base will be providing one of their C-17s for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our NATO 75th celebrations.

Photo Credit: Kev Storer