The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is one of the most advanced and versatile military airlift aircraft in the world. Designed to bridge the gap between tactical airlift (like the C-130 Hercules) and strategic airlift (like the massive C-5M Super Galaxy), the C-17 combines long-range, heavy-payload capabilities with the ability to operate from short, austere runways — even dirt or gravel strips close to the front lines.
Since entering service in the 1990s, the C-17 has become the backbone of U.S. and allied airlift operations, moving troops, vehicles, medical evacuation teams, and critical supplies to hotspots and humanitarian disaster zones worldwide.
 
General Information:
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing Defense, Space & Security)
Role: Strategic and tactical airlift
First Flight: September 15, 1991
Entered Service: January 17, 1995 (U.S. Air Force)
Total Built: 279 (production ended in 2015)
Primary Users: U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force (UK), Royal Australian Air Force, NATO, Indian Air Force, UAE, Canada, Kuwait, Qatar
Crew: 3
Pilot
Co-pilot
Loadmaster (1 or 2 depending on mission)