May 22, 2012 – Boeing delivered the United Kingdom’s eight C-17 Globemaster III to the Royal Air Force (RAF) on May 18 during ceremonies at the Long Beach manufacturing assembly plant. The 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton operates the RAF C-17s, which entered service in 2001. The UK Ministry of Defence ordered additional airlifters for delivery in 2008 and 2010 and contracted for the eighth C-17 in March. Boeing has delivered 242 C-17s worldwide, including 216 to the U.S. Air Force, and 26 delivered to foreign customers. India has 10 C-17s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014. RAF Air Vice-Marshall Barry Mark North is seen at right making comments during the ceremony. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)