Boeing has delivered the 223rd and last C-17 Globemaster III airlifter for the US Air Force, representing the completion of a contract signed more than 20 years ago.
The aircraft left Boeing’s Long Beach facility to fly to its base at Charleston, South Carolina, where a ceremony was held.
“Thank you for delivering to our nation combat airlift – that is the definition of the C-17 – the most versatile, most capable, most ready airlifter ever built,” said US Air Force Gen Paul Selva, commander, Air Mobility Command.
While the USAF was the C-17’s main customer, Boeing continues to produce the aircraft for export, with to date 34 operated by Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and NATO.
First flown in 1991, the C-17 fleet has since exceeded 2.6 million flight hours.
