Sixth C-17 arrives.
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Sixth C-17 arrives.
A little bit of good news ...
Sixth C-17 swoops into Britain
3 Jul 08
The sixth C-17 Globemaster ZZ176 to arrive in the UK was delivered to RAF Brize Norton yesterday evening, 2 July 2008.
(L to R) Sgt Jim Hardwick (Ground Engineer), Sgt T Rossi (Loadmaster), Flt Lt Mike Flynn (Captain), Wing Commander S Edwards (OC 99 Sqn), Flt Lt Charlie Lee (Copilot), Flt Sgt P Harris (Loadmaster), SAC(T) Joe Sproat (Technician)
[Picture: RAF]
Collected from the Boeing Factory in Longbeach, California on 11 June 2008, the aircraft has since been used for essential front-line crew training.
Upon landing at its home base of Brize Norton, the aircraft was rapidly prepared for operations as in only 18 hours after its delivery, it will see its first operational mission in support of Operation Valero, the 2 Rifles depoyment to Kosovo.
As well as being able to carry loads of up to 75 tonnes and fly long distances (up to 2,400 miles) the C-17's ability to land on unpaved airfields in remote, land-locked regions make it a versatile transport aircraft, equally suited for a variety of missions.
Delivered early, the arrival of the sixth C-17 in the UK marks a significant increase in the RAF’s airlift capability. Wing Commander Edwards, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron said:
Sixth C-17 swoops into Britain
3 Jul 08
The sixth C-17 Globemaster ZZ176 to arrive in the UK was delivered to RAF Brize Norton yesterday evening, 2 July 2008.
(L to R) Sgt Jim Hardwick (Ground Engineer), Sgt T Rossi (Loadmaster), Flt Lt Mike Flynn (Captain), Wing Commander S Edwards (OC 99 Sqn), Flt Lt Charlie Lee (Copilot), Flt Sgt P Harris (Loadmaster), SAC(T) Joe Sproat (Technician) [Picture: RAF]
Collected from the Boeing Factory in Longbeach, California on 11 June 2008, the aircraft has since been used for essential front-line crew training.
Upon landing at its home base of Brize Norton, the aircraft was rapidly prepared for operations as in only 18 hours after its delivery, it will see its first operational mission in support of Operation Valero, the 2 Rifles depoyment to Kosovo.
As well as being able to carry loads of up to 75 tonnes and fly long distances (up to 2,400 miles) the C-17's ability to land on unpaved airfields in remote, land-locked regions make it a versatile transport aircraft, equally suited for a variety of missions.
Delivered early, the arrival of the sixth C-17 in the UK marks a significant increase in the RAF’s airlift capability. Wing Commander Edwards, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron said:
"The C-17 fleet with its agility and reach is absolutely vital to current operational theatres. It is especially important for the support of ground forces and particularly in land-locked Afghanistan. The arrival of UK6 at RAF Brize Norton will bring immediate benefit to UK troops all over the world."
The RAF purchased four leased aircraft and a fifth C-17 in 2006. The arrival of a sixth, will give the RAF a guaranteed long-term capacity in this area. The new C-17 aircraft joins the rest of the fleet at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
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Good stuff, though a couple more to wear those pre-designated tail numbers would be nice.
Whilst I understand the whole corporate image argument and am the first to defend the idea behind it, doesn't the 'Royal Air Force' logo, with roundel, squeezed in next to the door look like some 6-year old has made his first Airfix model?
Having said that, a sixth ac is a good win for the RAF; there aren't too many in defence these days.
Having said that, a sixth ac is a good win for the RAF; there aren't too many in defence these days.
Great news for 99 and the rest of the military.
I don't suppose no. 7 and no. 8 will be along anytime soon after yesterday's carrier announcement.
Have to agree, particularly as it's just under the whacking great ROYAL AIR FORCE written along the top half of the fuselage; I thought that might be a clue as to the operator. This corporate branding is starting to make us look foolish. Do any other air forces do this?
I don't suppose no. 7 and no. 8 will be along anytime soon after yesterday's carrier announcement.
'Royal Air Force' logo, with roundel, squeezed in next to the door look like some 6-year old has made his first Airfix model?
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In line with procurement policy defencive aids like LAIRCM will only be financed when many people are dead, and millions of pounds worth of C17,HMS Sheffield or C130 are lost.
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SAC(T) Joe Sproat (Technician)
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Pardon my rampant ignorance, but what does an SAC(T) do on a C-17? Ground Engineer I can understand, but what does the (T) do please? I'm not digging at Joe (don't know him from Adam), I'm just genuinely intrigued as to what the role is. More, please!
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Firstly, good news to all those involved.
Secondly,whats with stopping at 'only' Six? RAAF and the Canadians are receiving Four each which makes the UK total seem a bit 'light-on' given the UK's war and peace keeping commitments seem to be far an above the other two.
Some kind of promise by Blair prior to his exist for UK to buy the A400M when shes out and ready for delivery?
Secondly,whats with stopping at 'only' Six? RAAF and the Canadians are receiving Four each which makes the UK total seem a bit 'light-on' given the UK's war and peace keeping commitments seem to be far an above the other two.
Some kind of promise by Blair prior to his exist for UK to buy the A400M when shes out and ready for delivery?
Do GE's/Techs stay with one particular cab (to get to know it's foibles, lims, etc etc) or are they rostered to the next avbl aircraft?
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GF,
If they are under the same manpower constraints that we are all suffering, I would guess they can't afford to leave the same team on the same frame.
ES
If they are under the same manpower constraints that we are all suffering, I would guess they can't afford to leave the same team on the same frame.
ES
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it will see its first operational mission in support of Operation Valero, the 2 Rifles depoyment
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masters transport
Well, that means two more aircraft for the Masters to "go West" in, whilst the rest of the boys "Go East!"......Or am I being cynical...or just realistic!!!!!!
but I'm sure "Spoons will have have a grip of that!"
but I'm sure "Spoons will have have a grip of that!"
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Just this once
Hi Pal,
Good to see you are still around, old bean. I agree that another such ac is definitely a step in the right direction for UK PLC but it is a bit p1ss poor for our newest toy to arrive figuratively 'naked'. I can only presume this ac will only travel west and go nowhere near where it is actually needed until it is suitably defended?
We've all seen mission creep before!
Fly safe! Fight safe!
Good to see you are still around, old bean. I agree that another such ac is definitely a step in the right direction for UK PLC but it is a bit p1ss poor for our newest toy to arrive figuratively 'naked'. I can only presume this ac will only travel west and go nowhere near where it is actually needed until it is suitably defended?
We've all seen mission creep before!
Fly safe! Fight safe!
Last edited by flipster; 4th Jul 2008 at 15:07.
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The aircraft or the co-pilot?
Note how the jocks stand there with there legs thrust apart - the more stripes, the further apart the jocks' legs are, except the co., who's just thinking "Lets get this over with".