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Joint Base Charleston receives final C-17

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Meredith Thomas
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Joint Base Charleston, S.C. --  The 315th Airlift Wing joined the 437th Airlift Wing and the 628th Air Base Wing to welcome the Air Force's newest and final C-17 Globemaster III during a planeside delivery ceremony here Sept. 12.

General Paul J. Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, along with Lt. Gen. James Jackson "JJ" Jackson, Air Force Reserve Command commander, and Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Air National Guard commander escorted the plane during its five-hour flight from the Boeing Assembly Plant in Long Beach, Calif. to Charleston.

Upon arrival Gen. Selva ceremoniously handed over the keys of the aircraft to Col. James Fontanella, 315th Airlift Wing commander and Col. Darren Hartford, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "It's all yours," Gen. Selva said. "Take good care of her."

The delivery of aircraft P-223 closes a chapter in the storied history of the C-17 which began at Charleston more than 20 years ago. The first of the Air Force's now complete fleet of 223 C-17s touched down at then Charleston Air Force Base on June 14, 1993.
Since that time, the jet has overcome initial criticism to become "a world-class airlifter," said General Selva.

"Our Citizen Airmen take great pride in flying the C-17 at over seven locations," said Lt. Gen. Jackson. "Team Charleston provides a total seamless operation that allows us to send this plane anywhere in the world at any time."

The C-17 Globemaster III is lauded as a versatile combat airlifter capable of delivering troops and cargo to main operating bases and to remote locations with less-than-ideal landing configurations. Additionally, the jet provides lifesaving benefits by transporting injured service members and civilians during aeromedical evacuations.

Col. Fontanella, admiring the new plane, took care to also express his gratitude for the total force Airmen who have flown and maintained the jets for more than two decades. "Over the past 20 years, this aircraft has become a symbol American might and American reach," he said. "However, behind that great symbol are the men and women of the 315th and 437th Airlift Wings and the 628thAir Base Wing. Today, we celebrate you. We celebrate your dedication to this country."

P-223 will take its place alongside Charleston's 53 other assigned C-17s. The entire fleet of cargo planes will continue to fly missions from various locations throughout the Air Force.

"This aircraft will prove to be the premier airlifter for the Air Force," said Lt. Gen. Jackson. "It's going to continue to write its history."