The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has accepted the delivery of a fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter during a ceremony at Boeing’s final assembly facility in Long Beach.
A RAAF delegation, led by Defence Minister Stephen Smith, received the latest C-17 at the event which was also attended by the Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley, Australian Secretary of Defence, Duncan Lewis and US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich.
“Australia’s fleet of four C-17s has been on the front lines of defence and humanitarian missions around the world, and continues to demonstrate the aircraft’s great versatility and capability,” said Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick.
“We look forward to a continued close partnership with the Commonwealth.”
Australian C-17s were part of the relief mission to Japan following a devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year.
The fleet delivered more than 1 million pounds of cargo, including water cannons to help cool the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.
RAAF C-17s also conducted relief operations following a major earthquake in Christchurch and floods in Pakistan and Australia.