Air Force and Boeing officials dedicated the service’s newest C-17 to recipients of the US military’s highest decoration, unveiling Spirit of the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at JB Lewis McChord, Wash. “Whenever this C-17 flying the insignia of the Spirit of the Medal of Honor lands, the spirit of America’s bravest will land with it, bringing hope, saving lives, and preserving peace,” said Robert Ciesla, Boeing’s C-17 program manager, during Tuesday’s dedication ceremony. MOH recipients retired Air Force Col. Joe Jackson and retired Army Col. Bruce Crandall assisted Ciesla and Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Raymond Johns in unveiling the title and honorific appliqué above the aircraft’s crew-entry door. Dedicated at AMC’s Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, Boeing delivered this C-17 (tail no. 99211) earlier this month, according to the company’s release. (Includes Lewis-McChord report by A1C Michael Battles)
LIVE: Caine Leads Global Toast to the Doolittle Raiders
April 17, 2026
Continuing a 80-year-long Air Force tradition started by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and his fellow Raiders in 1946, the Air & Space Forces Association, Air Force and Space Force units, and AFA members around the world are raising a glass to the anniversary of the legendary Doolittle Raid.