Charleston Air Base gets newest C-17

[unhappycamper]

Charleston Air Base gets newest C-17
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 6:01:53 EST

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — Charleston Air Force Base is getting a new C-17 transport aircraft, its first in five years.

The aircraft is slated to arrive Tuesday afternoon from its production site in Long Beach, Calif.

This will bring to 51 the number of huge transports assigned to the air base. The C-17s carry troops or cargo and perform airdrop as well as medical evacuation missions.

The four-engine aircraft has a crew of four. It is 174 feet long has a wingspan of 169 feet.

The transport is designed to be able to fly into small, austere areas. It can land on runways as short as 3,500 feet.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_charlestonc17_111808/%2e



uhc comment: And only $218 million dollars for this thing. What a buy.

[Angleae]

1. Actually they are cheaper than their civilian counterparts.

C-17 $218 million, 170,900lbs cargo
747 $228-260 million, 116,800lbs cargo
777 $200-254 million, 120,306lbs cargo