UAE Air Force takes delivery of its first C-17 Globemaster from Boeing

  “It is with great pride that we accept delivery of our first C-17, which will help expand our ability to perform humanitarian and strategic-lift missions in the region and around the world,” said Major General Staff Pilot Mohammed bin Suwaidan Saeed Al Qamzi , UAE Air Force and Air Defence commander. “The C-17’s advanced capabilities, high reliability, and mission readiness rate met all of our requirements.”

The UAE will take delivery of three more C-17s this year and two in 2012 as it modernizes its airlift capabilities.

"Congratulations to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence as they join the worldwide community of C-17 operators," said Chris Chadwick, president, Boeing Military Aircraft, who attended the ceremony in Long Beach. “ We pledge that your commitment to the C-17 will be backed up by Boeing’s expertise, support and dedication – wherever your crews fly the finest airlifter the world has ever known.”

Meanwhile Boeing's president of Defense, Space & Security Dennis Muilenburg was in the UAE while the ceremony was going on, meeting with key leadership as part of Boeing’s continuing partnership with the country.

“I want to congratulate the UAE Air Force and Air Defence on the delivery today in the United States of the UAE’s first C-17 Globemaster III,” Muilenburg said.

“The C-17 is the world’s gold standard for reliability and on-time deliveries and performance, capabilities that make the C-17 the best airlifter choice for our valued customers, like the UAE,” Muilenburg said.

As a member of the worldwide C-17 “virtual fleet,” the UAE’s C-17s will be supported through Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a proven multi-national Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) program. Through 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 utilization of shared resources across the entire C-17 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.

            "The C-17’s strategic and tactical capabilities will serve the UAE well,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 program manager. “No other airlifter can transport large payloads across vast ranges without refueling, land on short, austere runways, and operate in extremely hot and cold climates.”

With a full payload of 170,000 pounds, the C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical miles and land in 3,000 feet or less.

There are currently 231 C-17s in service worldwide – 21 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 210. Other 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.

PICTURED:  General Staff Pilot and commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, Mohammed Bin Swaidan Saeed Al Qamzi, addresses the delivery ceremony crowd.