Boeing delivered the first C-17 transport to the United Arab Emirates during a ceremony at the company’s plant in Long Beach, Calif. “It is with great pride that we accept delivery of our first C-17, which will help expand our ability to perform humanitarian and strategic lift missions,” said UAE Air Force and Air Defense commander Maj. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohammed bin Suwaidan Saeed Al Qamzi, at Tuesday’s handover. UAE has ordered six C-17s, three more of which are slated for delivery this year, with the final two following in 2012. This first C-17 for UAE is the 21st Globemaster III to reach a foreign customer, and 231st C-17 to enter service worldwide. The US Air Force has 210 of the 223 that it intends to order in its possession. (Boeing release)
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.
