August 18, 2008
A US C-17 military transport plane to be hosted in Pápa, landed at the NATO airbase there on August 15 to take part in the traditional Kecskemét International Air Show at the weekend.
The new C-17 Globemaster III will be escorted by nearly 150 service crew in November, after assembly in the US is completed. The US will deliver the plane as non-cash contribution to the NATO base. In early 2009 another two huge cargo planes will arrive at the base with a 150-strong servicing crew and another 70 to 80 Boeing staffers for the purpose of maintenance.
The Boeing C-17 long-range cargo jets will be used for airlift purposes which could be engaged for national purposes or allocated for NATO, UN, EU or other international operations, such as delivering humanitarian aid or providing disaster relief. They will carry soldiers and military equipment.