International and military dignitaries today celebrated the Boeing Co. C-17 Globemaster III at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, where it officially joined the Heavy Airlift Wing and officially activated the new airlift capability for 10 NATO and two Partnership for Peace nations.
The nations participating in the Strategic Airlift Capability -- NATO nations Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, United States and Partnership for Peace members Sweden and Finland -- will share acquisition and operating costs for the C-17s over the nearly 30-year course of the agreement.
The advanced airlifter, known as SAC 01, is the first of three C-17s that will be assigned to the HAW in western Hungary this year and will soon start flying missions in support of the International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan. Boeing will deliver SAC's two remaining C-17s in September and October.
Sound bites from the folks at Boeing, who went out to Hungary for the celebration:
"I want to extend my thanks to all of the nations that chose to participate in SAC," said Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, NATO deputy secretary general. "Because of your commitment, today we are well-positioned to provide aid anywhere, at any time, and on any mission -- humanitarian, disaster relief, or peacekeeping."
"Visions are only realized when unrelenting dedication to achievement is applied in full measure," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard Johnston, chairman of the SAC Steering Board. "When applied twelvefold, success becomes destiny. Today, 12 nations witness the activation of their Heavy Airlift Wing."
"For nearly a year now, personnel from 12 nations have worked as a team here in Pápa, blending their varied skills, military experiences and cultures into a new form of multinational military unit," said HAW's first wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. John Zazworsky. "The team has consistently focused on being able to conduct strategic airlift missions as soon as the first aircraft is delivered. Now that we have reached that milestone, we have the strong sense that we are creating a model for future cooperative military efforts."
"Boeing is proud that the C-17 is a part of this historic day," said Jean Chamberlin, Boeing vice president, Global Mobility Systems. "It's the only aircraft capable of performing all of SAC's airlift missions -- strategic and tactical, military and humanitarian, brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation -- and it can do all of that using standard runways or short, austere airfields."
The nations participating in the Strategic Airlift Capability -- NATO nations Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, United States and Partnership for Peace members Sweden and Finland -- will share acquisition and operating costs for the C-17s over the nearly 30-year course of the agreement.
The advanced airlifter, known as SAC 01, is the first of three C-17s that will be assigned to the HAW in western Hungary this year and will soon start flying missions in support of the International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan. Boeing will deliver SAC's two remaining C-17s in September and October.
Sound bites from the folks at Boeing, who went out to Hungary for the celebration:
"I want to extend my thanks to all of the nations that chose to participate in SAC," said Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, NATO deputy secretary general. "Because of your commitment, today we are well-positioned to provide aid anywhere, at any time, and on any mission -- humanitarian, disaster relief, or peacekeeping."
"Visions are only realized when unrelenting dedication to achievement is applied in full measure," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard Johnston, chairman of the SAC Steering Board. "When applied twelvefold, success becomes destiny. Today, 12 nations witness the activation of their Heavy Airlift Wing."
"For nearly a year now, personnel from 12 nations have worked as a team here in Pápa, blending their varied skills, military experiences and cultures into a new form of multinational military unit," said HAW's first wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. John Zazworsky. "The team has consistently focused on being able to conduct strategic airlift missions as soon as the first aircraft is delivered. Now that we have reached that milestone, we have the strong sense that we are creating a model for future cooperative military efforts."
"Boeing is proud that the C-17 is a part of this historic day," said Jean Chamberlin, Boeing vice president, Global Mobility Systems. "It's the only aircraft capable of performing all of SAC's airlift missions -- strategic and tactical, military and humanitarian, brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation -- and it can do all of that using standard runways or short, austere airfields."
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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