News

Team Dover takes possession of new C-17

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Nicole Langley
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The first C-17 Globemaster III to be assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., is finally in the hands of a Team Dover crew and will arrive on base Monday.

The Dover crew, along with delivery official Brig. Gen. Alfred Stewart, 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force commander, McGuire AFB, took possession of the brand-new aircraft early Thursday morning at Boeing's Long Beach, Calif., production facility.

As the crew moved about the aircraft inspecting and taking in the 'new-plane scent' and impeccably clean interior, they expressed their enthusiasm to have the unique opportunity to pick up a new aircraft from the factory. 

"As I looked around the aircraft for the first time, the thing that really caught my eye was the lack of fingerprints on our frequently used computer displays," said Maj. Justin Riddle, 3rd Airlift Squadron and aircraft commander. "I've never seen that before." 

The crew explained this opportunity doesn't arise everyday. 

"The last time Dover got a brand-new airplane was 1986," said Maj. Kevin Higginbotham, 326th Airlift Squadron and Dover's first Reserve C-17 pilot. 

While the crew finished preparing for the flight and a team from Dover's 736th and 712th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons made their final inspections, General Stewart spoke to Boeing personnel, thanking them for producing an aircraft that provides the U.S. Air Force with such advanced airlift capabilities. 

After all pre-flight operations were complete, the jet - with just 9.8 hours total flight time - and its crew were ready to roll. 

Once in the air, one crewmember was already looking toward the future and the mission capabilities of the new aircraft. 

"Getting the plane is exciting, but the real excitement will be taking it down range and putting it to work," said Major Riddle. "Every combat sortie that we fly eliminates the need for dangerous convoy missions in Iraq." 

The aircraft landed at McGuire AFB, N.J., Thursday evening, where it will remain until early Monday morning. 

Monday, the crew, along with Gen. Duncan McNabb, commander of Air Mobility Command and delivery official, will fly the aircraft from McGuire to Dover, where it will be welcomed at a special arrival ceremony.