The arrival of the last Air Force C-17 on order marks a switch in focus for those who manage and work on the airlifter. The service took delivery of its final C-17 last week – its 223rd overall – at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina.
The arrival of the aircraft means there will be a change in climate from production and sustainment of the aircraft to sustainment only, explained Col. David Morgan.
However, “We have been concentrating on sustainment for a long time … (so) this isn’t a big change,” he added.
Robins has partnered with Boeing on C-17 sustainment since 2000, when the first plane was inducted here for Programmed Depot Maintenance. Since then, 364 planes (including aircraft that have went through PDM multiple times) have undergone the comprehensive maintenance process, which occurs every five years, as well as mandatory modifications.
The ability to take off and land on short runways and haul 60-ton tanks, troops and medical gear across continents has made the C-17 the airlifter of choice for no-fail missions around the globe. The periodic maintenance done at Robins will allow the aircraft to meet its 30 year life expectancy.
“Even though we’re not producing C-17s anymore, we expect the 223 we have to last for a long time,” said Morgan.
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