Boeing delivered the second C-17 transport to the United Arab Emirates in a ceremony at the company’s plant in Long Beach, Calif. The UAE Air Force and Air Defense’s first C-17 “delivered just one month ago, has already logged several missions. And that’s what the C-17 is all about—being ready to perform any mission, anywhere, on a moment’s notice,” said Rich Cutting, Boeing’s UAE airlift program manager during the June 10 handover of the second airframe. The Persian Gulf state has a total of six C-17s on order, four of which are scheduled for delivery this year, with the final two airframes on course for delivery in 2012. In addition to the C-17s, UAE has ordered 12 new-build Lockheed Martin C-130Js from the United States to meet is medium transport needs. (Boeing release)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.