_01.jpg)
Registered Charity United Kingdom No 226682 Spain No G54288329
21 January 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled a new C-17 Globemaster at RAF Brize Norton <http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/> today. The transport aircraft will bolster the airbridge between the UK and frontline operations. The Prime Minister had a tour and met the crew of the aircraft, which has been declared ready for operations and will start flying troops and equipment to the frontline at the beginning of February.
Mr Cameron said:
"What I am looking at today is the investment
that we're making to make sure that we
succeed in Afghanistan, and make sure we
have got the very best airbridge between
Britain and Afghanistan.
"This aircraft can carry three Apache
helicopters, or take a whole Chinook helicopter.
"It's a very efficient piece of equipment and it's
very good news that we are investing in this -
evidence that we're giving our armed forces the
capability, the flexibility and the mobility that
they need to do the job that we ask them to.
"It's lovely to be here and say thank you to the people who are here working very hard to make sure the airbridge between Afghanistan and Britain is open and working well."
The C-17’s huge capacity means it can carry loads weighing up to 70 tonnes, for example it can transport three Warrior armoured vehicles. It will join the six other aircraft that make up the C-17 fleet, which are operated by 99 Squadron at the Oxfordshire base.
Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said:
"The RAF’s C-17 fleet has provided outstanding service in support of operations and humanitarian relief efforts around the world. The fleet has already clocked up an impressive 65,000 flying hours during its missions. The C-17 is a real workhorse in the RAF fleet."
The multi-million pound aircraft can fly over 4,500 nautical miles, flying above 30,000 feet to undertake trans-continental flights. It can to fly directly to Helmand Province from the UK. C-17s can also be converted rapidly to offer Intensive Care provision. In this role it provides exceptional support to the Aeromedical Airbridge, with one aircraft on standby 24-hours a day to fly seriously injured personnel back to the UK at short notice. In addition, the aircraft have been deployed to help with humanitarian and disaster relief efforts around the world.
The C-17 fleet provided assistance during the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, as well as the Pakistan and Chilean earthquakes.
Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, said:
"The RAF C-17 fleet, along with the rest of the Airbridge, delivers an incredible capability to our deployed forces on the front line. I am also extremely proud of the outstanding contribution that all our aircraft and personnel are making to continued progress in Afghanistan."
Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled a new C-17 Globemaster at RAF Brize Norton <http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/> today. The transport aircraft will bolster the airbridge between the UK and frontline operations. The Prime Minister had a tour and met the crew of the aircraft, which has been declared ready for operations and will start flying troops and equipment to the frontline at the beginning of February.
Mr Cameron said:
"What I am looking at today is the investment
that we're making to make sure that we
succeed in Afghanistan, and make sure we
have got the very best airbridge between
Britain and Afghanistan.
"This aircraft can carry three Apache
helicopters, or take a whole Chinook helicopter.
"It's a very efficient piece of equipment and it's
very good news that we are investing in this -
evidence that we're giving our armed forces the
capability, the flexibility and the mobility that
they need to do the job that we ask them to.
"It's lovely to be here and say thank you to the people who are here working very hard to make sure the airbridge between Afghanistan and Britain is open and working well."
The C-17’s huge capacity means it can carry loads weighing up to 70 tonnes, for example it can transport three Warrior armoured vehicles. It will join the six other aircraft that make up the C-17 fleet, which are operated by 99 Squadron at the Oxfordshire base.
Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said:
"The RAF’s C-17 fleet has provided outstanding service in support of operations and humanitarian relief efforts around the world. The fleet has already clocked up an impressive 65,000 flying hours during its missions. The C-17 is a real workhorse in the RAF fleet."
The multi-million pound aircraft can fly over 4,500 nautical miles, flying above 30,000 feet to undertake trans-continental flights. It can to fly directly to Helmand Province from the UK. C-17s can also be converted rapidly to offer Intensive Care provision. In this role it provides exceptional support to the Aeromedical Airbridge, with one aircraft on standby 24-hours a day to fly seriously injured personnel back to the UK at short notice. In addition, the aircraft have been deployed to help with humanitarian and disaster relief efforts around the world.
The C-17 fleet provided assistance during the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, as well as the Pakistan and Chilean earthquakes.
Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, said:
"The RAF C-17 fleet, along with the rest of the Airbridge, delivers an incredible capability to our deployed forces on the front line. I am also extremely proud of the outstanding contribution that all our aircraft and personnel are making to continued progress in Afghanistan."
Prime Minister Welcomes New RAF C-17 Aircraft
