The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of C-17A Globemaster III heavy-lift transport aircraft has recorded 100 missions in the Middle East area of operations (MEAO).
The RAAF C-17A fleet carried 4,500t of cargo since the first intra-theatre mission in the MEAO was launched on 22 June 2009 to Baghdad.
The Globemaster III aircraft have supported operations Kruger and Catalyst in Iraq as well as operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
During the 100 missions, the C-17A crew have transported Chinook helicopters and protected mobility vehicles such as the Bushmaster and Australian light armoured vehicles as well as radar units.
The RAAF’s C-17A fleet has also surpassed 10,000 hours total flying time since the delivery of the first aircraft in December 2006.
The C-17A, powered by four turbofan engines, can lift 70t of cargo and can accommodate passengers, outsized cargo, vehicles and aero-medical evacuation patients.
