Boeing on July 28 delivered a third C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence at the C-17 program's final assembly facility in Long Beach.

"We selected the C-17 Globemaster III for the versatility and reliability the aircraft brings to our mission," said UAE Air Force and Air Defence Officer Commanding Col. Pilot Humaid Al Mansoori. "The first two C-17s delivered to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence have been flying around the world in support of humanitarian missions. The fleet's newest airlifter is a welcome addition so that we can continue to be ready for any contingency, anywhere and any time."

The UAE Air Force and Air Defence accepted delivery of its first C-17 in May. Boeing is contracted to deliver a fourth C-17 to the UAE later this year and two more in 2012.

"Boeing employees and our supplier partners are proud of the quality that we build into every C-17 and pleased that the airlifters delivered to the UAE customer are already supporting missions worldwide," said Boeing C-17 Program Manager Bob Ciesla.

The C-17 can transport large payloads across vast ranges without refueling and operate in extremely hot and cold climates, making it the optimum choice for meeting the UAE's strategic and tactical airlift requirements. With a full payload of 170,000 pounds, a C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical miles on versatile missions including brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation. The C-17 also can land on short runways of 3,000 feet or less and land on austere airfields.

As a member of the worldwide C-17 "virtual fleet," the UAE's C-17s are supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership. Under the virtual fleet concept, C-17 customers receive comprehensive worldwide logistics support (spares, support equipment, tech orders, sustaining engineering, and on-site field teams) through use of shared resources across the entire fleet.

This highly successful program ensures high levels of mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers - regardless of fleet size - cost-effective access to an extensive support program.

There are currently 234 C-17s in service worldwide - 23 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active duty, Guard and Reserve units, has 211. International customers include the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

India became the newest C-17 customer in June, when India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 C-17s that will be delivered in 2013-2014.

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