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First Canadian C-17 rolls out of factory
June 20, 2007


Canada’s first C-17 Globemaster III rolls out of the Boeing Long Beach, Calif. factory June 16 on its way to the paint hangar. Canada will receive four C-17s with its first delivery scheduled for early August. Photos: Gina Vannater.

From Boeing

The first C-17 Globemaster III to be based in Canada rolled out of the Boeing factory on its way to the paint hangar June 16 at the Long Beach, Calif. assembly facility. Canada's first C-17 airlifter is scheduled for delivery in early August to its new home at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.

"We are very excited to have Canada as a customer and to see their first aircraft enter the paint hangar and move closer to completion," said Vanessa Milburn, C-17 Canada Program Manager. "This rollout is again a sign that we're keeping our commitment to our customer to be on time and on budget."

Boeing painters will apply distinct Canadian aircraft markings on the C-17 as well as the traditional gray base paint used on all Boeing C-17s. The paint scheme includes the word "Canada", the Canadian flag, and a maple leaf. The jet will also display the Canadian Forces signature "Canadian Forces ... Forces canadiennes".

Boeing and the Canadian government signed an agreement for the purchase of four C-17 Globemaster IIIs for Canada's Department of National Defence Feb. 1. The contract for the direct commercial sale of four airframes will provide new strategic airlift mobility capabilities for the Canadian Forces.

Boeing is on contract to deliver 190 C-17s to the U.S. Air Force, five to the Royal Air Force, four to the Royal Australian Air Force and four to the Canadian Forces. The aircraft will all be delivered by mid-2009.