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)
“Military history shows that the best defense is almost always a maneuvering offense supported by solid logistics. This was true for mechanized land warfare, air combat, and naval operations since World War II. It will also be true as the world veers closer to military conflict in space,” writes Aidan…