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)
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.