The conclusion of the C-17 line is “in sight,” according to Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. In a Dec. 22 interview, Schwartz said he still believes that a fleet of 316 strategic airlifters is “about right,” and that 205 of them should be C-17s. If Congress acts to go above that number of C-17s, “we would retire C-5 capacity” from the C-5A fleet, he said. Schwartz noted that it’s important not to over-invest in organic airlift if that means reducing work for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, upon which the US depends heavily. Still, Schwartz said he’d be glad to have C-17s still in production and believes Boeing will expand its market overseas for the aircraft.
Work Has Begun to Adapt Qatari 747 to Fly as Air Force One
Sept. 15, 2025
The Air Force has started modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for "executive airlift," a spokesperson said Sept. 15. President Donald Trump has said he wants to fly the jet as “Air Force One” since new presidential transports, held up by delays, won't be ready until after his term…
