Editing Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (section)

===Indian Air Force===
In June 2009, the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) selected the C-17 for its Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft requirement to replace several types of transport aircraft.<ref name="tect24j13" /> In January 2010, India requested 10 C-17s through the U.S.'s Foreign Military Sales program,<ref name="India Requests Boeing C-17s.">Mathews, Neelam. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/awx/2010/01/08/awx_01_08_2010_p0-195411.xml&headline=India%20Requests%20Boeing%20C-17s&channel=defense "India Requests Boeing C-17s."]{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Aviation Week'', 8 January 2010.</ref> the sale was approved by Congress in June 2010.<ref>[http://www.sify.com/news/us-congress-clears-c-17-sale-for-india-news-international-kgcnOdacjcb.html "US Congress clears C-17 sale for India."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022062858/http://www.sify.com/news/us-congress-clears-c-17-sale-for-india-news-international-kgcnOdacjcb.html |date=22 October 2012}} ''Deccan Chronicle'', 18 August 2011.</ref> On 23 June 2010, the IAF successfully test-landed a USAF C-17 at the [[Gaggal Airport]], India to complete the IAF's C-17 trials.<ref>[http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw100705_1_n.shtml "IAF completes C-17 test-flight."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605171247/http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090212/120098967.html |date=5 June 2011}} ''Jane's Information Group'', 5 July 2010.</ref> In February 2011, the IAF and Boeing agreed terms for the order of 10 C-17s<ref name="articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com">[http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-17/news/29138728_1_il-76-iaf-chief-marshal-pv-naik "IAF finalises order for 10 C-17 strategic airlifters."]{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''The Times of India'', 17 March 2011. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.</ref> with an option for six more; the US$4.1 billion order was approved by the Indian [[Cabinet Committee on Security|Cabinet Committee]] on 6 June 2011.<ref name="The_Hindu_Cabinet_approved">Prasad, K.V. [http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/07/stories/2011060765092000.htm "India to buy C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft from U.S."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608131938/http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/07/stories/2011060765092000.htm |date=8 June 2011}} ''The Hindu'', 7 June 2011. Retrieved: 7 June 2011.</ref><ref name="livemint.com">[http://www.livemint.com/Companies/6uAPJaguKDn2s1jpL6gAUN/India8217s-4-bn-order-to-support-jobs-at-Boeing8217s.html "India's $4-Bn Order To Support Jobs At Boeing."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228065731/http://www.livemint.com/Companies/6uAPJaguKDn2s1jpL6gAUN/India8217s-4-bn-order-to-support-jobs-at-Boeing8217s.html |date=28 February 2014}} ''BusinessWeek'', 7 June 2011.</ref> Deliveries began in June 2013 and were to continue to 2014.<ref name="MOD_purchase">[http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432 "Purchase of Transport Aircraft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004154842/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432 |date=4 October 2018}} ''pib.nic.in'', 12 December 2011. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Boeing delivers third C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to Indian Air Force|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/boeing-delivers-third-c-17-globemaster-military-transport-aircraft-to-indian-air-force/articleshow/21995683.cms|access-date=23 August 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823092131/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/boeing-delivers-third-c-17-globemaster-military-transport-aircraft-to-indian-air-force/articleshow/21995683.cms|archive-date=23 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, the IAF reportedly finalized plans to buy six more C-17s in its [[Five-Year plans of India|five-year plan]] for 2017–2022.<ref name="tect24j13">{{cite news |title=C-17 boosts India's strategic airlift capability: IAF Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/c-17-boosts-indias-strategic-airlift-capability-iaf-air-chief-marshal-n-a-k-browne/articleshow/21267520.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=24 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912233334/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/c-17-boosts-indias-strategic-airlift-capability-iaf-air-chief-marshal-n-a-k-browne/articleshow/21267520.cms |archive-date=12 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="toi10sep" /><ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-buy-more-than-16-c-17-airlifters/articleshow/8850290.cms "India to buy more than 16 C-17 airlifters."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019172652/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-buy-more-than-16-c-17-airlifters/articleshow/8850290.cms |date=19 October 2012}} ''Economictimes.indiatimes.com''. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.</ref>

[[File:Boeing C-17A Globemaster III ‘CB-8010’.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 'CB-8010']]
It provides strategic airlift, the ability to deploy special forces,<ref>Knowles, Victoria. [http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-for-indian-air-force.html "C-17 Globemaster for Indian Air Force."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803231249/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-for-indian-air-force.html |date=3 August 2012}} Armed Forces International, 1 August 2012.</ref> and to operate in diverse terrain – from Himalayan air bases in North India at {{convert|13000|ft|m|abbr=on}} to Indian Ocean bases in South India.<ref name=dh24jy13>{{cite news|title=US Army chief apprised of Indian strategies|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/346930/us-army-chief-apprised-indian.html|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=24 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726155843/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/346930/us-army-chief-apprised-indian.html|archive-date=26 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The C-17s are based at [[Hindon Air Force Station]] and are operated by [[No. 81 Squadron IAF]] ''Skylords''.<ref name ="skylordform">{{cite news|title=Indian Air Force inducts C-17 Globemaster III, forms Skylords Squadron|url=http://frontierindia.net/indian-air-force-inducts-c-17-globemaster-iii-forms-skylords-squadron#axzz2dkJMhASF|newspaper=Frontier India|date=2 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904125850/http://frontierindia.net/indian-air-force-inducts-c-17-globemaster-iii-forms-skylords-squadron#axzz2dkJMhASF|archive-date=4 September 2013}}</ref> The first C-17 was delivered in January 2013 for testing and training;<ref>[https://archive.today/20130215192949/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130124/DEFREG03/301240018/1st-C-17-Airlifter-8216-Delivered-8217-Indian-Officials "1st C-17 Airlifter 'Delivered' to Indian Officials"]. Defense News, 24 January 2013.</ref> it was officially accepted on 11 June 2013.<ref name=Boe_1st_C-17>[http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2697 "Boeing Transfers 1st C-17 to Indian Air Force"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615224604/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2697 |date=15 June 2013}}. Boeing, 11 June 2013.</ref> The second C-17 was delivered on 23 July 2013 and put into service immediately. IAF Chief of Air Staff [[Norman Anil Kumar Browne|Norman AK Browne]] called it "a major component in the [[Future of the Indian Air Force|IAF's modernization drive]]" while taking delivery of the aircraft at Boeing's Long Beach factory.<ref name=tt23j13>{{cite news |title=IAF gets its second C-17 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130724/main5.htm |work=The Tribune |date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725042613/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130724/main5.htm |archive-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 September 2013, the ''Skylords'' squadron with three C-17s officially entered IAF service.<ref>[http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-iii-joins-indian-air-force.html "C-17 Globemaster III Joins Indian Air Force"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906052326/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-iii-joins-indian-air-force.html |date=6 September 2013}}. Armedforces-Int.com, 2 September 2013.</ref>

The ''Skylords'' regularly fly missions within India, such as to high-altitude bases at [[Leh Air Force Station|Leh]] and [[Thoise]]. The IAF first used the C-17 to transport an infantry battalion's equipment to [[INS Jarawa|Port Blair]] on Andaman Islands on 1 July 2013.<ref name=toi2j>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IAFs-new-C-17-flies-non-stop-to-Andamans-to-supply-Army-equipment/articleshow/20869070.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144615/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-02/india/40328759_1_10-c-17-aircraft-rugged-c-17s-panagarh |url-status=live |archive-date=5 July 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |title=IAF's new C-17 flies non-stop to Andamans to supply Army equipment |date=2 July 2013 |access-date=5 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US, India Consider C-17 Exchange|url=http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2013/July%202013/July%2031%202013/US,-India-Consider-C-17-Exchange.aspx|newspaper=Air Force Magazine|date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004221/http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2013/July%202013/July%2031%202013/US,-India-Consider-C-17-Exchange.aspx|archive-date=24 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign deployments to date include [[Tajikistan]] in August 2013, and [[Rwanda]] to support [[Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions|Indian peacekeepers]].<ref name=toi10sep>{{cite news|title=Globemasters deployed for overseas missions|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Globemasters-deployed-for-overseas-missions/articleshow/22445215.cms|access-date=10 September 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909234452/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Globemasters-deployed-for-overseas-missions/articleshow/22445215.cms|archive-date=9 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> One C-17 was used for transporting relief materials during [[Cyclone Phailin]].<ref>{{cite news|title=IAF C-17 Globemaster makes debut in Cyclone Phailin rescue efforts|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/iaf-c-17-globemaster-makes-debut-in-cyclone-phailin-rescue-efforts-update-cyclone-phailin-113101200360_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185558/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/iaf-c-17-globemaster-makes-debut-in-cyclone-phailin-rescue-efforts-update-cyclone-phailin-113101200360_1.html|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The sixth aircraft was received in July 2014.<ref name="financialexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-gets-sixth-c17-globemaster-with-vintage-package-in-belly/1274687|title=Indian Air Force gets sixth C-17 Globemaster with vintage package in belly|last=PTI|work=financialexpress.com|access-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001706/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-gets-sixth-c17-globemaster-with-vintage-package-in-belly/1274687|archive-date=24 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, the U.S. Department of State approved the potential sale of one C-17 to India under a proposed $366 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=366000000|start_year=2017}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) U.S. Foreign Military Sale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-india-c-17-transport-aircraft |title=Government of India – C-17 Transport Aircraft |website=dsca.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630203059/http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-india-c-17-transport-aircraft |archive-date=30 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> This aircraft, the last C-17 produced, increased the IAF's fleet to 11 C-17s.<ref name="iaf-11-c17-dod.defense.gov"/> In March 2018, a contract was awarded for completion by 22 August 2019.<ref name="iaf-11-c17-dod.defense.gov">{{cite web|url=https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1481376/|title=India to receive final 'white-tail' C-17 – Jane's Contracts for March 30, 2018|website=DOD.defense.gov|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114142035/https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1481376/|archive-date=14 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 August 2019, Boeing delivered the 11th C-17 Globemaster III to the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boeing delivers 11th C-17 Globemaster III to the Indian Air Force |url=https://www.boeing.co.in/news/2019/boeing-delivers-11th-c-17-globemaster-iii-to-the-indian-air-force#:~:text=New%20Delhi,%20India,%20August%2026,military,%20humanitarian%20and%20peacekeeping%20missions. |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.boeing.co.in |language=en-IN}}</ref>

On 7 February 2023, an IAF C-17 delivered humanitarian aid packages for [[2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake|earthquake]] victims in Turkey and Syria by taking a detour around Pakistan's airspace in the aftermath of 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/aviation/turkey-earthquake-pakistan-denies-airspace-to-indias-c-17-plane-carrying-ndrf-team-medical-aid-report-2570657.html |title=Turkey Earthquake: India's C-17 Plane Carrying Relief Aid Avoids Pakistan's Airspace |last=Garg |first=Arjit |publisher=Zee News |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref>

An IAF C-17 executed a precision airdrop of two [[Rigid inflatable boat|Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft]] along with a platoon of 8 [[MARCOS]] commandos in an operation to rescue the ''ex-MV Ruen'', a [[Malta|Maltese]]-[[ensign (flag)|flagged]] [[cargo ship]] hijacked by [[Piracy off the coast of Somalia|Somali pirates]] in December 2023. The mission was conducted on 16 March 2024 in a 10-hour round trip mission to an area 2600&nbsp;km away from the Indian coast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2024-03-17 |title=Indian Navy's 40-hour operation {{!}} Pirates shot down Navy's drone, Marine Commandos airdropped |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/40-hour-indian-navy-operation-in-arabian-sea/article67961302.ece |access-date=2024-03-18 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The ship was being used as a [[Mother ship|mothership]] for piracy. In a joint operation carried out with the [[Indian Navy]] assets such as [[P-8I Neptune]] [[maritime patrol aircraft]], [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|SeaGuardian]] drones, destroyer ''[[INS Kolkata]]'' and patrol vessel ''[[INS Subhadra (P51)|INS Subhadra]]'', the IAF C-17 airdropped Navy's MARCOS commandos, who boarded the hijacked ship, rescued 17 sailors and disarmed 35 pirates in the operation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy rescues 17 crew from hijacked ship, captures 35 pirates after 40-hour op |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-pirates-surrender-mv-ruen-ins-kolkata-2515876-2024-03-17 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=India Today |date=17 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ships, Drones, Commandos: How Indian Navy Rescued Hijacked Vessel |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ships-drones-commandos-how-indian-navy-rescued-hijacked-vessel-5254211 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-17 |title=Dramatic ops on high seas: Indian Navy rescues hijacked vessel MV Ruen, arrests 35 Somali pirates |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/dramatic-ops-on-high-seas-indian-navy-rescues-hijacked-vessel-mv-ruen-arrests-35-somali-pirates-421783-2024-03-17 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Business Today |language=hi}}</ref>