Canada's Government Welcomes Arrival of First C-17 Aircraft

August 11, 2007

Canadian Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor (C) stands with Lt-Gen Angus Watt (L), Chief of Air Staff, and Josee Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, in front of of C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift in Abbotsford, British Columbia Aug. 11, 2007. The Canadian military took delivery of the first C-17 and the aircraft was presented at the Abbotsford Airshow. ( Photo Credit: Xinhua/Reuters)

The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, today joined the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, and Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, Chief of the Air Staff at the Abbotsford International Airshow to welcome the arrival of Canada's first C-17 Globemaster III strategic lift aircraft."Canada's New Government has long recognized the importance of acquiring our own strategic airlift aircrafts to allow us to quickly deploy equipment, supplies or passengers when and where needed around world, and without having to rely on our allies or contractors," said Minister O'Connor. "Our first C-17 will soon be used for operations in support of humanitarian relief, disasters including floods or forest fires, or to a theatre of operations. Canada's New Government is proud to be fulfilling our commitment with its arrival."The strategic airlift capacity of the C-17 will ensure the Canadian Forces can quickly move heavy equipment, supplies or passengers over long distances, when and where needed in Canada or overseas.Generators, water purification equipment, medical equipment and/or food supplies are examples of some of the life-saving cargo that strategic airlift can deliver to Canadians, or to those in need around the world, in emergency situations.The Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), for example, will use strategic lift to great advantage by deploying troops and equipment faster to alleviate suffering in those parts of the world afflicted by crisis due to natural disasters."Canadians have always responded generously to international appeals for assistance in times of emergency and disaster" said Minister Verner. "With the arrival of the C-17 and working in cooperation with the Canadian Forces, we will be able to quickly answer a variety of humanitarian needs around the world - contributing to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world.""Here in Canada, this aircraft can help to bring stability to communities which have been struck by crisis situations," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "Like never before we'll be able to quickly provide relief to crises that hit our own communities, such as floods, ice storms and forest fires.""This aircraft represents the Canadian Forces' first-ever independent strategic airlift capability," said Gen. Hillier. "The C-17 will ensure that we can quickly move our men and women with their life-saving equipment to reach those in need when and wherever they need us most.""In a country as big as Canada, strategic airlift is essential," Lt.-Gen. Watt. "This capability will allow us to reach out to Canadians in domestic emergencies anywhere, anytime. It is also a means for Canada to provide a stronger and faster response in times of international crisis."In June 2006, Canada's New Government announced plans to procure strategic airlift, and is now proud to deliver on this promise for the Canadian Forces and Canadians. The Government continues to provide value for taxpayers' dollars by working effectively and efficiently on all of its current equipment initiatives and infrastructure investments.The C-17's home base will be at 8 Wing / CFB Trenton, Ontario.Additional information on the C-17 and Strategic Airlift can be found at:Air Force C-17 News site: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/equip/c17/news_e.asp

Canada Goes Shopping

Boeing and Canada Sign C$3.4 Billion Deal for Four C-17s

Feb 2 -Boeing Co., the second-biggest U.S. defense contractor, signed a C$3.4 billion contract with the Canadian military for four C-17 Globemaster III's transport aircrafts for Canada's Department of National Defence to provide new strategic airlift mobility capabilities for the Canadian Forces. The first delivery will occur as soon as fall 2007. The Canadian C-17's will be based at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
Public Works Minister Michael Fortier and National Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor made the announcement today in Ottawa. General Rick Hillier, Canada's top soldier, said the planes will help with military missions in the country's Arctic region and abroad in places such as in Afghanistan.
``It is going to enable us to be there, to be there with the right loads,'' Hillier said.
Boeing will deliver the aircraft from its Long Beach, Calif., factory where the advanced airlifters are assembled.

"Boeing is pleased that Canada joins its international partners -- the U.S. Air Force, the U.K. Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force -- in selecting C-17, the world's leading airlifter to modernize its defense forces airlift fleet," said Dave Bowman, vice president and C-17 program manager. "We look forward to delivering C-17s and a new world-class airlift capability to Canada, with industry-leading safety, quality and reliability that all C-17 customers enjoy."
As the only tactical airlifter with strategic range, the C-17 has become the world's airlifter of choice. Boeing is on contract to design, build, deliver and support 190 U.S. Air Force C-17s. The new Canadian C-17s are already factored into the C-17 production plan and will not extend the Long Beach production line beyond mid-2009, when the last C-17 is scheduled for delivery. In addition to the 160 C-17s now in service with the U.S. Air Force, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force operates four C-17s, and the Royal Australian Air Force in late 2006 took delivery of its first of four C-17s. With today's announcement, Canada will become the fourth nation to operate C-17s.