Boeing

The 40th Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in a short ceremony here today. The aircraft was flown to its new home, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., by Brig. Gen. James P. Czekanski, Director of Operations, HQ Air Force Reserve Command, Robbins Air Force Base, Ga.

This airplane, named "The Spirit of the Total Force," represents the last C-17 Globemaster III to be built and delivered under the original contract with the U.S. Air Force. The next delivery, aircraft P-41, will be the first under a seven-year, $14.2 billion contract for an additional 80 of the versatile airlifters.

To date, most of the C-17s have been delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Others have been delivered to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., where aircrew training takes place. McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the Air National Guard Base in Jackson, Miss., will also receive C-17s in the future.

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