Meet the C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 Globemaster III is considered to be the best and brightest, the golden child, the apple in Uncle Sam’s eye so to speak, when it comes to the Air Force’s fleet of cargo jets. It is the most flexible and youngest cargo jet and it’s also very reliable and relatively easy to maintain. Its mission is to deliver cargo and people for military and humanitarian missions. Most recently, March’s C-17s have taken supplies to American Samoa and Haiti following major earthquakes.

Loading supplies on two March C-17s bound for Haiti

The design of the aircraft allows it to operate through small, unmaintained airfields if they need to. It can take off and land on runways that are short and narrow. Even on narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around using what’s called a three-point star turn and its ability to back-up the jet. It is very agile and can maneuver in a way not expected from such a huge monster. The C-17 has taken fire while on missions but has never been shot down.

Despite the hugeness of the plane, it only requires 3 personnel to fly it, two pilots and one loadmaster. The loadmaster is responsible for loading anything and everything. This anything and everything includes personnel, equipment, aid and supplies, and once upon a time live dolphins. Yes! That’s right, a C-17 using a March ARB crew, transported dolphins from San Diego to New Caledonia in the Pacific, in order to find and get rid of over 200 mines that were placed there during World War II.

The best story I heard that gives a good visual as to the capacity of the C-17 came from a loadmaster who once fit two 18-wheelers into the plane! Yep, two semi-trucks can fit into the humongous cargo plane. He said there was literally inches between the two trucks and the sides of the plane. Wow! That’s one impressive jet!

Here are some basic facts about the C-17 Globemaster III:
Wingspan: 169 feet 10 inches (to winglet tips) Length: 174 feet Height: 55 feet 1 inch Cargo Compartment: length, 88 feet; width, 18 feet; height, 12 feet 4 inches
Speed: 450 knots at 28,000 feet (8,534 meters) (Mach .76)
Maximum Peacetime Takeoff Weight: 585,000 pounds
Load: 102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients and attendants; 170,900 pounds of cargo (18 pallet positions)

Megan C.
452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs | March Air Reserve Base