IT’S A BIRD... NO, BUT IT IS A PLANE AND A HOSPITAL! MEET THE C-17
Having multiple functions is a great asset for people, tools, vehicles, and most anything really. The C-17 is a huge plane, and it can carry a ton of stuff. Do you need supplies? No problem. What about a tank? It’s ready. Additional troops? Sure, there’s plenty of room. But one of the most remarkable uses of the C-17 Globemaster III isn’t just that it can carry plenty of people. It can fit plenty of people and conduct lifesaving medical procedures in the midst of warfare. Part transport, part flying ambulance, learn about how this plane helps save the lives of American heroes in some of the most hostile conditions one might face. Read next:Discover the E-4B Nightwatch: The USAF's "Doomsday Plane"
How Many C-17 Globemaster Planes Does the U.S. Have?
There were 279 C-17s created during its run between 1991 and 2015. While the United States is the largest user of the C-17, there are many other foreign forces that also use the aircraft, including:
- Royal Air Force (RAF).
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC), consisting of Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, U.S., Finland, and Sweden.
- Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Qatar Emiri Air Force.
- United Arab Emirates Air Force.
- Kuwait Air Force.
Although the total number of C-17 aircraft operated by the U.S. isn’t completely known, it’s believed that over 220 were part of American fleets. Beyond warfare, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has helped in many humanitarian efforts due to its capacity during airlift operations. This is one of the reasons that so many nations have adopted its use in some capacity. Some notable examples include the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 Sindh floods, and airlift operations as the United States left the Middle East following the end of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This includes Operation Allies Refuge, where over 124,000 Soldiers and at-risk civilians were evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021 as the U.S. formally left the area. The C-17 features allow the aircraft to carry as much as 170,900 pounds of cargo and well over a hundred troops. This comes in handy, as it’s often used to transport many people at once. The extra space also allows wounded troops to receive life-saving healthcare as they're taken from the battlefield to proper medical facilities.
A Flying Ambulance
Nicknamed the Flying Emergency Room, C-17 aircraft are known for their medevac capabilities and operations. It’s this versatility that comes in handy when the stakes are at their highest. Getting medical care is always going to be a logistical nightmare, but considering the last couple of decades of warfare for the American Armed Forces have dealt with insurgencies that refuse to recognize the rules of engagement, these issues were only amplified. Whether it's after a natural disaster or in the middle of a war, the C-17 is ready to help not only get people out of harm’s way but do so while providing ample space and the ability to tend to medical needs before arriving at healthcare facilities.
The C-17 Is No Longer in Production
As with anything else in life, all good things must come to an end. Going off of that same notion, creating the C-17 came down to money. There were various issues with continuing protection of the aircraft, including the desire to move on by the U.S. government and the need to keep adding to the fleet because of their extensive use during conflicts in the Middle East. But eventually, orders of the plane from the U.S. government would stop, and considering the American Armed Forces were the largest customer, this would spell disaster for Boeing’s efforts. In 2015, production would cease. Despite the end in production, the C-17 continues to serve and has a legacy of helping vulnerable groups find safety. Overall, it’s a unique aircraft with a lot to offer that continues to make America and the world a better place. Suggested read:Military Plane Crashes in 2022 Causing Concerns Among Branches
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