RAF BRIZE NORTON, United Kingdom, May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The first of four
Boeing C-17 military cargo aircraft being leased to the United Kingdom Royal
Air Force arrived today at RAF Brize Norton, its new home base.
The aircraft was flown in from Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina
where it picked up support equipment. Squadron Leader Malcolm Brecht,
commander of the RAF's 99th Squadron, was at the controls for its delivery
flight. Also on board for the historic flight was U.S. Air Force Gen. Tony
Robertson, Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command.
Vice Chairman Harry Stonecipher and Jerry Daniels, president and chief
executive officer and president, Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems,
represented The Boeing Company.
"We deeply value our international teammates. Today's delivery of the
first C-17 to the U.K. Royal Air Force is the latest in a long line of
excellent programs that we have, and I hope just the start of many more,"
Stonecipher said. "Maintaining and expanding our international relationships
is the key to the future of a global Boeing Company. I was honored to be a
part of these ceremonies."
The Ministry of Defence announced its decision to lease the four C-17s on
May 16, 2000, and the first aircraft was delivered to the U.K. customer on
May 17, 2001, just one year and one day after the announcement.
"The spirit of partnership between the U.K. customer, the U.S. Air Force
and the Boeing team made it possible," Daniels said. "The Boeing team is
dedicated to making that spirit of partnership our way of doing business."
All four U.K. C-17s will be delivered this summer. They are being acquired
on a seven-year lease arrangement, with training and maintenance support
through a separate contract with the U.S. Air Force and Boeing.
The United Kingdom is the first international customer for the C-17
Globemaster III. The USAF has received 72 C-17s.
SOURCE The Boeing Company
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