[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        A MILESTONE FOR THE C-17

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, the State of Missouri is very proud 
of the enormous contribution more than 2,000 of its aerospace workers 
have made in producing the C-17 Globemaster III at the McDonnell 
Douglas Corp. plant in St. Louis. Yesterday, Gen. Robert Rutherford, 
Air Mobility Command Commander, declared the initial operational 
capability of the first C-17 squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, SC. 
The C-17's capability to airlift in excess of 160,000 pounds strategic 
distances and land on runways as short as 3,000 feet is now available 
for everyday operations anywhere in the world. I am very proud that the 
skilled aerospace workers in Missouri had a part in this significant 
achievement. But, more so, I am encouraged that we are seeing the 
achievement of another major step in the plan toward building a fleet 
of 120 critically needed C-17's.
  As the centerpiece of America's ability to respond in a crisis 
quickly with the right military force or humanitarian aid, the C-17 
will take this Nation well into the 21st century as the most capable 
and flexible airlifter ever to take flight. The declaration of initial 
operational capability of the C-17 is a milestone we can all be proud 
of.


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