Image Gallery: December 2006
First C-17 arrives in Australia
04 December 2006
In March 2006 the Government announced plans for the acquisition these aircraft. Just nine months later, I am honoured to be present at the maiden flight into Australia of the first of four C-17s, which will be based at RAAF Amberley, to be operated by No 36 Squadron.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Air Force, the Defence Materiel Organisation, Boeing and the wider Defence community in ensuring the delivery of our aircraft in such a timely fashion.
As the government builds the strength of Australia’s Defence Force, to protect our people, interests and values, it is important we have the capacity to move our personnel and equipment into other parts of the world and across Australia, when and where we need them.
The C-17 is capable of carrying almost four times the load, over twice the distance, as the C130 Hercules. Each C-17 is capable of carrying five Bushmaster Infantry Vehicles, or three Tiger helicopters, or up to 75 tonnes of equipment and supplies for emergency relief.
As well as enhancing the responsiveness of our Defence Force, our C-17s will increase Australia’s independence. We will no longer need to rely on leasing ageing Antonov aircraft, or wait in queues for American heavy airlift.
The ADF’s acquisition of the C-17 delivers significant benefit to Australian Industry with inclusion in the project of an Australian Industry Partnership program valued at about $345 Million.
| 20061204adf8054893_027 Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd escorts the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Howard to the dias for the arrival ceremony of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204adf8054893_049 The C-17 Globemaster taxies into Canberra for the first time. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204adf8054893_061 Wing Commander Linda Corbould, Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron, carries the commissioning key to the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204adf8054893_071 Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, addresses the dignitaries at the arrival ceremony of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204adf8054893_082 Wing Commander Linda Corbould, Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron, briefs the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon John Howard, in the cockpit of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204adf8054893_118 The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, escorts the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Howard, and the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, at the arrival ceremony of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_005 Minister for Defence the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson with the C-17 Heavy Lift Aircraft, which represents the start of a new era in the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) airlift capability. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_019 Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron Wing Commander Linda Corbould gives the thumbs up for the C-17 Heavy Lift Aircraft. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_037 Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Minister for Defence the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson discuss the arrival of the C-17 Heavy Lift Aircraft. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_053 Prime Minister John Howard and Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron Wing Commander Linda Corbould admire the C-17 Heavy Lift Aircraft. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_054 Prime Minister John Howard addresses the dignitaries at the arrival ceremony of the C-17 Globemaster. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20061204cpa52778_174 Today’s arrival of the C-17 Heavy Lift Aircraft represents the start of a new era in the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) airlift capability. (Date taken: 04 December 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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