Background
The C-17 made its maidenflight on Sept. 15, 1991, and the first production model was deliveredto Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., June 14, 1993. The first squadronof C-17s, the 17th Airlift Squadron, was declared operationally readyJan. 17, 1995. The Air Force originally programmed to buy a total of120 C-17s, with the last one being delivered in November 2004. Currentbudget plans involve purchasing 180 aircraft.

The original 120C-17s were based at Charleston AFB; McChord AFB, Wash., (first aircraftarrived in July 1999); Altus AFB, Okla.; and at an Air National Guardunit in Jackson, Miss. In August 2005, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.,began basing the first of eight aircraft. In February 2006, Hickam AFB,Hawaii, received its first C-17.

The C-17 is operated by the AirMobility Command at the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C.; the62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash; the 305th Air Mobility Wing,McGuire AFB, N.J.; the 315th Airlift Wing (Associate Reserve),Charleston AFB, S.C.; and, the 446th Airlift Wing (Associate Reserve),McChord AFB, Wash; and the 172nd Airlift Wing, Mississippi ANG.Additionally, Air Force Materiel Command operates two C-17s at EdwardsAFB, Calif.; Pacific Air Forces operates two aircraft at Hickam AFB,Hawaii (Associate Guard); Air Force Reserve Command operates eightaircraft at March Air Reserve Base, Calif; and Air Education andTraining Command operates eight aircraft at Altus AFB, Okla.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Cargo and troop transport
Prime Contractor: Boeing Company
Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines
Thrust: 40,440 pounds, each engine
Wingspan: 169 feet 10 inches (to winglet tips) (51.75 meters)
Length: 174 feet (53 meters)
Height: 55 feet 1 inch (16.79 meters)
Cargo Compartment: length, 88 feet (26.82 meters); width, 18 feet (5.48 meters); height, 12 feet 4 inches (3.76 meters)
Speed: 450 knots at 28,000 feet (8,534 meters) (Mach .76)
Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet at cruising speed (13,716 meters)
Range: Global with in-flight refueling
Crew: Three (two pilots and one loadmaster)
Aeromedical Evacuation Crew: Abasic crew of five (two flight nurses and three medical technicians) isadded for aeromedical evacuation missions. Medical crew may be alteredas required by the needs of patients
Maximum Peacetime Takeoff Weight: 585,000 pounds (265,352 kilograms)
Load:102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients andattendants; 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo (18 palletpositions)
Unit Cost: Unit Cost: $202.3 million (FY98 constant dollars)
Date Deployed: June 1993
Inventory: Active duty, 134; Air National Guard, 8; Air Force Reserve, 8