A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster has delivered military assistance to the Ukrainian Government.
The C-17A Globemaster III allows the Air Force to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world.
Based at RAAF Base Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron, and provide a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations overseas. This has included operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as well as East Timor.
Australia introduced an initial fleet of four C-17As between 2006 and 2008. Additional aircraft were acquired in 2011, 2012, and 2015.
C-17As have supported personnel on deployments, and been an integral part of disaster relief and humanitarian missions.
Past operations have included:
- Op Bring Them Home (2014) in the Ukraine and Netherlands, following the shoot-down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17
- Op Pacific Assist (2011) following the earthquake/tsunami in Japan
- Op Queensland Flood Assist (2011)
- Op Christchurch Assist (2011)
- Op Philippines Assist (2013)
- Op Southern Indian Ocean (2014)
The C-17A Globemaster is a high-wing four-engine heavy transport aircraft. It is fitted with a cargo bay ramp that allows it to airdrop cargo in-flight, and can operate from unsurfaced runways as short as 3500 feet. It is able to carry up to 77 tonnes of cargo, and can be refuelled in-flight by the KC-30A, extending its range further.
