Boeing delivered the Indian Air Force’s fourth C-17 transport, announced the company. The aircraft departed Boeing’s assembly plant in Long Beach, Calif., on Oct. 19, according to the company’s Oct. 24 release. The Indians are on track to receive five of the 10 C-17s they have on order by year’s end, states the release. The remaining five are scheduled for delivery in 2014. Earlier this month, the IAF used its C-17s to support relief efforts after Cyclone Phailin, according to Boeing. The storm caused heavy flooding in eastern India. India received its first C-17 in June, second in July, and third in August. With this newest delivery, Boeing said it has now supplied 258 C-17s to the United States and international customers. (See also US, India Consider C-17 Exchange and End of the Line.)
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.