CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
June 14 marks the 15th anniversary of the delivery of the first C-17 Globemaster III to the Air Force and Charleston AFB from the assembly line in Long Beach, Calif.
Since the first aircraft was delivered, 173 more C-17s have been added to the Air Force's global airlift capability replacing the C-141 Starlifter.
The C-17's versatility provided commanders with a do-anything, go-anywhere airframe.
"There is no doubt the C-17 has changed the way we think about going to war and employing and resupplying our forces," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "The taxpayer really got their money's worth. We went out almost 20 years ago and said we need an airplane to replace the C-141 but we want it to do all these things above that: We want it to be able to carry the tanks; we want it to be able to land on short fields; we want to design it for airdrop; we want to design it for aerial refueling. That is exactly what the taxpayer got because this airplane does all of that and so much more. It is redefining the way we think about strategic and tactical lift. It is redefining how far forward we can take our mobility air forces."
Although impressive, the C-17 is just a machine. It takes Airmen with a vast array of technical knowledge to fly, maintain, load and support the C-17 mission.
"Given how magnificent the C-17 is, the most magnificent thing are our Airmen who support it," said Colonel Millander. "The thing that has changed the most in my four C-17 tours is the way our Airmen think about using this airplane."
The C-17 is the nation's premier aircraft for cargo delivery, aiding in the resupply of coalition military forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
"I think we're going to continue to find ways to use the airplane in ways we have not thought about yet," said Colonel Millander about the future of the C-17. "The way we're using the airplane now -- we didn't think that way even 5-6 years ago. The only thing that limits our thinking is ourselves."
The C-17 has played a critical role in nearly every humanitarian mission since it became operational.
"This aircraft is capable of delivering humanitarian aid anyplace in the world and supplies to the warfighters on the frontlines," said Senior Master Sgt. Dwayne Evans, 437th Maintenance Squadron aerial repair superintendent. "I feel a sense of pride knowing I have a part in that every day."
Retired Brig. Gen. Thomas Mikolajcik, former 437th Airlift Wing commander, was able to witness the new airlifter program from the beginning.
"It was wonderful to be part of the C-17 program when it was a blank piece of paper at the Pentagon to the first delivery here at Charleston 14 years later," he said.
The C-17 wasn't originally meant to carry the airlift load of the Air Force.
"The C-17 program was to augment and complement the existing airlift fleet ... today the C-17 is our airlift workhorse," General Mikolajcik said.
With the success of the C-17 program in the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force have all purchased C-17s for use in their global airlift programs.
Team Charleston will host a general officer panel June 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the Charleston Club where members of the base community can learn about the C-17's past and future from active-duty and retired general officers who originally helped implement the program.