Kuwait receives C-17 Globemaster III aircraft

LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Kuwait has taken delivery of its first C-17 Globemaster III airlifter from Boeing at a delivery ceremony at a company manufacturing plant in California.

"The C-17 meets the unique airlift requirements of the Kuwait Air Force," said Col. Abdullah Al Foudari, deputy commander of the Kuwait Air Force. "With this airlifter we can more effectively participate in the operations we choose, transporting large payloads across long distances, flying at high altitudes in hot climates such as ours, and landing on short, unpaved runways."

The aircraft was delivered in the country's custom paint design so when this C-17 "arrives to deliver humanitarian aid or disaster relief anywhere in the world, people in need will know that the aid came from Kuwait," said Col. Foudari.

"We welcome Kuwait to the global C-17 fleet with the knowledge that this aircraft elevates the Kuwait Air Force's airlift capabilities and also further strengthens Boeing's relationship with Kuwait," said Nan Bouchard, vice president and C-17 program manager. "We will support this C-17 long after today's delivery."

Boeing said it will support Kuwait's C-17 fleet through the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program, a proven multinational performance-based logistics program. About 260 of the aircraft are operational around the world. Operators include Kuwait, Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.