UAE’s Fifth Heavy

Boeing earlier this month delivered the United Arab Emirates’ fifth C-17 Globemaster III during a ceremony at the company’s aircraft plant in Long Beach, Calif., announced the company. “It’s amazing to see all that the UAE has accomplished with its fleet of C-17s in such a short time,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing’s C-17 program manager, in the company’s May 22 release. The UAE Air Force and Air Defense established a new air base for the fleet, trained three operational aircraft commanders and four loadmasters, and began flying humanitarian and peacekeeping missions since receiving its first four aircraft last year, noted Ciesla. “With a mission-capable rate above 90 percent, UAE C-17s are ready to save lives and deliver hope whenever they are needed,” he added. This Globemaster is the 27th C-17 delivered to an international customer, and the 243rd overall airframe to roll off Boeing’s C-17 production line. The UAE’s sixth and final C-17 is slated for delivery later this year.