Eyes around the globe

By Rebecca Codey
Volume 48, No. 9, June 01, 2006

A visiting US Globemaster gave special guests the opportunity to inspect the aircraft during a stop-over in Canberra.

Photo by Kevin Piggott

* The C-17 Globemaster is a very reliable, long range, heavy lift aircraft designed to rapidly transport large cargo over long distances. The cargo compartment is large enough to fit the equivalent of three Hercules pallet loads and is capable of carrying outsized loads. The C-17 measures about 174 ft (53m) long with a 170 foot (52m) wingspan is 55 feet (17m) in height and weighs 585,000 lbs (265,000kgs) fully loaded. The aircraft is operated by a crew of three – two pilots and a loadmaster. The C-17 can takeoff and land on runways as short as 3000ft (1000m) and as narrow as 90 feet (30m) in width.

IT WILL be little more than six months before the Air Force’s first C-17 Globemaster arrives in Australia, so senior Defence personnel and local media made the most of an opportunity to see the aircraft-type up close in Canberra.

Commander Air Lift Group AIRCDRE Glen Steed worked side-by-side with the US aircrew, led by LTCOL Richard Sheetz (USAF) and MAJ Patrick Keane from the US Embassy, showing people through the Globemaster and answering questions on its capability and introduction into service.

“During the four hours the aircraft was available for inspection we had many visitors from various areas in Defence,” AIRCDRE Steed said.

“Visitors were able to tour the aircraft and inspect both the cargo area and the flight deck. Specialist members of the crew were also on hand to describe particular aspects of the aircraft and their specialist roles.

“The day certainly proved highly successful as it provided people a chance to become familiar with the aircraft and better understand exactly what we will be acquiring in enhanced airlift capability.

“I also found the opportunity personally rewarding as I could discuss in detail various aspects of the aircraft’s performance with LTCOL Sheetz, in particular the high-end capability of C-17 airdrop and night short-field operations.”

Local journalists and aviation specialists were among the media agencies to attend a briefing at the end of the day.

The American aircraft’s visit to Canberra was timely, with the government allocating $1.9 billion in the recent Budget to purchase up to four C-17s.

AIRCDRE Steed said the Air Force’s C-17 program was progressing well. “We have our first cadre of aircrew in the US undertaking C-17 training. They are led by WGCDR Linda Corbould, who will take over as CO 36SQN once the first aircraft arrives in Australia in early December.”

The first cadre of maintenance personnel will begin C-17 maintenance training in the US in August and transition plans for the introduction of the aircraft are being finalised.

“I have every confidence that the rapid acquisition of this impressive and highly capable aircraft will be an outstanding success,” AIRCDRE Steed said.

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