The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO, today confirmed the entire C-17A Globemaster fleet had achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC).
“I am pleased that this has been achieved within budget and on schedule,” Air Marshal Brown said.
“I am thankful for the efforts by the men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force – as well as the Defence organisation and the Defence Materiel Organisation – who have worked together to achieve this great outcome.
“The Government’s purchase of two additional C-17A Globemasters has greatly increased our ability to respond with strategic airlift in our region, when and where Air Force is needed most.
“In just a few short years, the C-17As have made a difference to communities around the world with humanitarian and disaster relief, and provided a continuing link to our men and women in the Middle East Area of Operations,” he said.
The first four C-17A Globemasters achieved FOC in 2011, however, due to the staged acquisition, the fifth and sixth C-17As did not achieve FOC until recently.
Air Force’s six C-17A Globemasters are operated by Number 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
The C-17A Globemaster will be on display at the Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show at RAAF Base Williams – Point Cook on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of March 2014.