The Evolution of Military Airlift and the C-17

Strategic mobility is the connection between the logistical base in the homeland and the soldier on the battlefield. The task of worldwide mobility is accomplished through the combined effort of airlift, sealift and the pre-positioning of assets at critical points around the globe, all moving forces to where they are needed to any location around the world. Requirements for strategic airlift are largely determined by the Mobility Requirements Studies, and the 2005 (MRS-05) report calculated the US airlift shortfall remains behind the 54.5 million-ton-miles per day mark. The recent retirement of 270 C-141 Starlifters coupled with two theaters of combat operations have placed a burden on today's mobility airlift force. Currently replacing the fleet of C-141s are just over 150 C-17 Globemaster IIIs, built around special transformational airlift designs. For decades, the US performed successful airlift operations with civilian-equivalent airframes piloted by motivated airmen, not with unique or transformational aircraft. While replete with impressive capabilities, the limited numbers of new aircraft fall short of filling the airlift gap and hinder our nation's ability to project global power.