Editing Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (section)

===United States Air Force===
[[File:C-17 aircraft over over the Blue Ridge Mountains 2005.jpg|thumb|USAF C-17s fly over the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] in the eastern U.S., December 2005.]]

The first production C-17 was delivered to [[Charleston Air Force Base]], South Carolina, on 14 July 1993. The first C-17 unit, the [[17th Airlift Squadron]], became operationally ready on 17 January 1995.<ref name=nort_units>Norton 2001, pp. 94–95.</ref> It has broken 22 records for oversized payloads.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2001/q4/nr_011128n.htm "Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Claims 13 World Records."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415163714/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2001/q4/nr_011128n.htm |date=15 April 2012}} ''Boeing'', 28 November 2001.</ref> The C-17 was awarded U.S. aviation's most prestigious award, the [[Collier Trophy]], in 1994.<ref>[http://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=150 "Collier Trophy, 1990–1999 winners."]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528193410/http://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=150 |date=28 May 2008}} ''National Aeronautic Association''. Retrieved: 1 April 2010.</ref> A Congressional report on operations in Kosovo and [[Operation Allied Force]] noted "One of the great success stories...was the performance of the Air Force's C-17A"<ref>Department of Defense 2000, p. 39.</ref> It flew half of the strategic airlift missions in the operation, the type could use small airfields, easing operations; rapid turnaround times also led to efficient utilization.<ref>Department of Defense 2000, p. 40.</ref>

In 2006, eight C-17s were delivered to [[March Joint Air Reserve Base]], California; controlled by the [[Air Force Reserve Command]] (AFRC), assigned to the [[452nd Air Mobility Wing]] and subsequently assigned to AMC's [[436th Airlift Wing]] and its AFRC "associate" unit, the [[512th Airlift Wing]], at [[Dover Air Force Base]], Delaware, supplementing the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dover.af.mil/units/|title=Dover Air Force Base – Units|publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=1 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414182845/http://www.dover.af.mil/units/index.asp|archive-date=14 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mississippi Air National Guard's 172 Airlift Group received their first of eight C-17s in 2006. In 2011, the [[New York Air National Guard]]'s [[105th Airlift Wing]] at [[Stewart Air National Guard Base]] transitioned from the C-5 to the C-17.<ref name=Stewart_History>[http://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/history/index.asp "105th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard – History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214201134/http://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/history/index.asp |date=14 February 2013}}. Retrieved 3 March 2014.</ref>

C-17s delivered military supplies during [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in Afghanistan and [[Iraq War|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in Iraq as well as [[humanitarian aid]] in the aftermath of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], and the [[2011 Sindh floods]], delivering thousands of food rations, tons of medical and emergency supplies. On 26 March 2003, 15 USAF C-17s participated in the biggest combat airdrop since the [[United States invasion of Panama]] in December 1989: the night-time airdrop of 1,000 paratroopers from the [[173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (United States)|173rd Airborne Brigade]] occurred over Bashur, Iraq. These airdrops were followed by C-17s ferrying M1 Abrams, M2 Bradleys, M113s and artillery.<ref>Anderson, Jon R. [http://www.stripes.com/news/1st-id-task-force-s-tanks-deployed-to-northern-iraq-1.4187 "1st ID task force's tanks deployed to northern Iraq."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002123053/http://www.stripes.com/news/1st-id-task-force-s-tanks-deployed-to-northern-iraq-1.4187 |date=2 October 2012}} ''Stars and Stripes'', 10 April 2003. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Faulisi|first1=Stephen|title=Massive air lift|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000031446/|website=U.S. Air Force Photos|publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831174341/http://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000031446/|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> USAF C-17s have also assisted allies in their airlift needs, such as Canadian vehicles to Afghanistan in 2003 and Australian forces for the [[Operation Astute|Australian-led military deployment to East Timor]] in 2006. In 2006, USAF C-17s flew 15 Canadian [[Leopard 1#Canada|Leopard C2 tanks]] from Kyrgyzstan into Kandahar in support of NATO's Afghanistan mission. In 2013, five USAF C-17s supported French operations in [[Mali]], operating with other nations' C-17s (RAF, NATO and RCAF deployed a single C-17 each).

Flight crews have [[nickname]]d the aircraft "''the Moose''", because during ground refueling, the pressure relief vents make a sound like the call of a female [[moose]] in heat.<ref>{{cite news |author=Barrie Barber |date=11 January 2015 |title=Wright-Patt crew plays crucial Afghanistan role: As combat operations end, Ohio airmen make frequent, risky flights |work=Dayton Daily News |issn=0897-0920 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1644372252 | id={{ProQuest|1644372252}} |quote=After a seven-hour flight that began from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the "Moose" as the C-17 is nicknamed, is thirsty. The plane makes the sound of a moose call as fuel pushes out air inside the tanks.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-c-17-moose-jet/ |title=Here's why the Air Force's workhorse C-17 is called 'the Moose' |author=David Roza |magazine=Task & Purpose |date=6 August 2021}}</ref>

Since 1999, C-17s have flown annually to Antarctica on [[Operation Deep Freeze]] in support of the [[US Antarctic Research Program]], replacing the C-141s used in prior years. The initial flight was flown by the USAF [[62nd Airlift Wing]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mcchord.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/1896579/where-its-cold-we-go/ |title=Where it's cold we go |date= 3 July 2019 |access-date= 6 March 2021 |publisher= US Air Force}}</ref> The C-17s fly round trip between [[Christchurch Airport]] and [[McMurdo Station]] around October each year and take 5 hours to fly each way.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/328690/stars-align-deep-freezes-last-regular-season-mission |title=Stars align for Deep Freeze's last regular season mission |author= Maj. Brooke Davis |date= 22 February 2019 |access-date= 6 March 2021 }}</ref> In 2006, the C-17 flew its first Antarctic airdrop mission, delivering 70,000 pounds of supplies.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/128633/c-17-makes-1st-ever-airdrop-to-antarctica/ |title= C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica |date= 21 December 2006 |access-date= 6 March 2021 |publisher= US Air Force }}</ref> Further air drops occurred during subsequent years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/1997 |title= Test Run: Air Force Makes Air Drop Over South Pole For Training Exercise |date= 18 December 2009 |access-date= 6 March 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Presidential limousine loaded in aircraft.jpg|thumb|right|The U.S. [[Presidential state car (United States)|Presidential Limousine]] is transported by a C-17 for long-distance trips.]]
A C-17 accompanies the President of the United States on his visits to both domestic and foreign arrangements, consultations, and meetings. It is used to transport the [[Presidential State Car (United States)|Presidential Limousine]], [[Marine One]], and security detachments.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=APAB&d_place=APAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10526128375A9604&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "New Mexico Airport runway damaged by President's Cargo Plane."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070332/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=APAB&d_place=APAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10526128375A9604&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=9 June 2011}} Associated Press, 1 September 2004.</ref><ref name=NatGeo_On_Board>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130126225131/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/on-board-marine-one1/video/ "On Board Marine One, Presidential Fleet"]. National Geographic, 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2013.</ref> On several occasions, a C-17 has been used to transport the President himself, using the [[Air Force One]] call sign while doing so.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EDCB9D2E176DD80&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "C-17 proves its worth in Bosnian Supply effort."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070345/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EDCB9D2E176DD80&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=9 June 2011}} ''St Paul Pioneer'', 16 February 1996.</ref>

====Rapid Dragon missile launcher testing====
In 2015, as part of a missile-defense test at [[Wake Island]], simulated medium-range [[ballistic missile]]s were launched from C-17s against [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense|THAAD missile defense systems]] and the [[USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53)|USS ''John Paul Jones'' (DDG-53)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-missile-defense-idUSKCN0SQ2GR20151102 |title=U.S. completes complex test of layered missile defense system |last=Shalal |first=Andrea |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |work=Reuters |date=1 November 2015 |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117074749/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/us-usa-missile-defense-idUSKCN0SQ2GR20151102 |archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In early 2020, [[pallet]]ized munitions–"Combat Expendable Platforms"– were tested from C-17s and C-130Js with results the USAF considered positive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/05/27/air-force-looking-to-up-gun-its-airlift-planes/ |title=US Air Force looks to up-gun its airlift planes |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |work=Defense News |date=27 May 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, the Air Force Research Laboratory further developed the concept into tests of the [[Rapid Dragon]] system, which transforms the C-17 into a lethal [[cruise missile]] [[arsenal ship]] capable of mass launching 45 [[AGM-158 JASSM|JASSM-ER]] with 500&nbsp;kg warheads from a standoff distance of {{cvt|925|km|mi}}. Anticipated improvements included support for [[Joint Direct Attack Munition#JDAM Extended Range|JDAM-ER]], mine laying, drone dispersal as well as improved standoff range when full production of the {{cvt|1900|km|mi}} JASSM-XR was expected to deliver large inventories in 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=16 December 2021 |title=Rapid Dragon's first live fire test of a Palletized Weapon System deployed from a cargo aircraft destroys target |magazine=Air Force Material Command |ref={{SfnRef|Air Force Material Command release|2021}} |publisher=Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs |url= https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2879257/rapid-dragons-first-live-fire-test-of-a-palletized-weapon-system-deployed-from/|access-date=2022-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Host |first1=Pat |date=1 October 2021 |title=US AFRL plans Rapid Dragon palletized munitions experiments with additional weapons |work=Janes|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-afrl-plans-rapid-dragon-palletised-munitions-experiments-with-additional-weapons |access-date=2022-07-23}}</ref>

====Evacuation of Afghanistan====
On 15 August 2021, USAF C-17 02-1109 from the [[62nd Airlift Wing]] and [[446th Airlift Wing]] at [[Joint Base Lewis-McChord]] departed [[Hamid Karzai International Airport]] in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]], while crowds of people trying to escape the [[2021 Taliban offensive]] ran alongside the aircraft. The C-17 lifted off with people holding on to the outside, and at least two died after falling from the aircraft. There were an unknown number possibly crushed and killed by the landing gear retracting, with human remains found in the landing-gear stowage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16|title=Kabul airport: footage appears to show Afghans falling from plane after takeoff |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/16/kabul-airport-chaos-and-panic-as-afghans-and-foreigners-attempt-to-flee-the-capital |website=The Guardian |access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Helene|last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |date=2021-08-17 |title=Body Parts Found in Landing Gear of Flight From Kabul, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/us/politics/afghans-deaths-us-plane.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/us/politics/afghans-deaths-us-plane.html |archive-date=2021-12-28 |url-access=limited |access-date=2021-08-18 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/08/16/the-last-runway-out-of-kabul-us-transport-jets-face-complex-evacuation-mission/ |title= The last runway out of Kabul: US transport jets face complex evacuation mission |date= 18 August 2021 |access-date= }}</ref> Also that day, C-17 01-0186 from the [[816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron]] at [[Al Udeid Air Base]] transported 823 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport on a single flight, setting a new record for the type,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/kabul-evacuation-flight-c-17-record/ |access-date=22 August 2021 |publisher=Air Force News |date=20 August 2021 |title=Kabul Evacuation Flight Sets C-17 Record With 823 on Board }}</ref> which was previously over 670 people during a 2013 typhoon evacuation from [[Tacloban]], [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/467793/c-17-crew-members-reflect-on-philippine-relief-efforts/ |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=19 December 2013 |title=C-17 crew members reflect on Philippine relief efforts |access-date= }}</ref>