Article Posted on : - Dec 21, 2010

The loadmaster aboard a US Air Force C-17 watches as 74,000 pounds of jet fuel descends to US and coalition troops just south of Kabul as the C-17 fleet. A Boeing photo

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (BNS): The worldwide fleet of C-17 Globemaster III airlifters has surpassed 2 million flying hours during an airdrop mission recently over Afghanistan.

Reaching 2 million flight hours equates to 1.13 billion nautical miles – the equivalent of a C-17 flying to the moon and back 2,360 times. The representative mission, flown by a US Air Force C-17, airdropped 74,000 pounds of jet fuel in support of US and coalition troops just south of Kabul, Boeing said.

The Boeing built C-17 has a mission readiness rate of more than 85 percent. It is the world's only strategic airlifter with tactical capabilities that allow it to fly between continents, land on short, austere runways, and airdrop supplies precisely where they are needed.

Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 program manager said, "Boeing congratulates the US Air Force and our international C-17 customers on reaching this milestone. We’re very proud that the C-17 continues to exceed expectations for performance and reliability."

The C-17 fleet, now in its 17th year of service, has supported humanitarian and disaster-relief missions worldwide.

While providing relief to Haiti in January and February, C-17s delivered nearly 14,000 short tons of cargo and transported some 25,000 passengers and 280 patients.

C-17s also played a key role in a record year for airdrops in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. As of Oct. 31, C-17s and other airlifters have airdropped more than 45 million pounds of cargo to troops in remote locations.

Boeing has delivered 20 C-17s to international customers.