AMBERLEY, Australia, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The Australian air force says a new training program is under way supported by Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III Aircrew Training System.
U.S. company Boeing says its Australian unit was selected to provide its C-17 training system at the Australian air force's Amberley Base marking the first time the C-17 heavy lift-aircraft training has taken place in Australia.
Officials say the Pilot Initial Qualification training on the Aircrew Training System will include operations on the loadmaster station, learning center and a weapons systems trainer among other requirements. Before the recent contract with Boeing, C-17 training took place in the United States.
"Training in the United States has been an amazing opportunity for all pilots and loadmasters, and Boeing's U.S. team and the U.S. Air Force at Altus and Hickam bases have provided second-to-none training along with warm hospitality," Brent Taylor, Australian 36 Squadron training flight commander, said in a statement.
"But now that the C-17 weapons systems trainer is operational, the strategic opportunities presented by a locally based training system include removing substantial travel costs and providing increased capability through reduced aircraft training hours, making way for increased tasking."
