CANBERRA, Australia, Nov. 4 (UPI) — The Royal Australian Air Force rounded out its Boeing C-17A transport fleet Wednesday with an eighth aircraft officially entering into service.
The Globemaster III aircraft, which had arrived Monday at an air base in the state of Queensland, was the second of two ordered earlier this year.
“The C-17A Globemaster is an incredibly versatile aircraft,” said Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies. “It allows us to provide an air bridge from Australia with supplies to the men and women deployed around the world, support Army operations, and assist at home with disaster relief such as the Queensland floods.
“Additional aircraft mean we can better meet the demands of moving personnel and equipment, within the short timeframes required in emergency situations.”
The procurement of the last two C-17As, together with associated equipment and facilities, represent an investment of more than $700 million in Australia’s ability to provide heavy airlift to a range of global military operations.
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