[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E372-E373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        C-17 WINS COLLIER TROPHY

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 1995

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, the McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III 
transport plane has again received recognition in the aeronautical 
community for its extraordinary capabilities.
  The C-17 has been awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy, symbolizing 
the top aeronautical achievement of 1994. The trophy is awarded by the 
National Aeronautic Association [NAA] for ``the greatest achievement in 
aeronautics or astronautics in America, the value of which has been 
demonstrated by actual use in the previous year.''
  This award is yet another reaffirmation of the commitment to 
excellence on the part of the dedicated craftsmen and women who 
manufacture the C-17 at McDonnell Douglas' plant in Long Beach, CA. 
These talented individuals, through their efforts, are directly 
contributing to the Nation's defense--as well as to the ability to 
provide humanitarian assistance to those in need throughout the world.
  The NAA, in announcing the award, said it was bestowed ``for 
designing, developing, testing, producing and placing into service the 
C-17 Globemaster III whose performance and efficiency makes it the most 
versatile airlift aircraft in aviation history.''
  The C-17 has already demonstrated its tremendous value, and it will 
continue to do so well into the 21st century. I am proud to represent 
the district in which it is built.
  At this point in the Record, I would like to include a McDonnell 
Douglas news release telling of the award and outlining some of the 
extraordinary capabilities of this remarkable aircraft.
  The news release follows:
                        C-17 Wins Collier Trophy

       Long Beach CA., February 15, 1995.--The U.S. Air Force/
     McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III transport has been 
     awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy, symbolizing the top 
     aeronautical achievement of 1994.
       The trophy, established in 1911, is awarded each year by 
     the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for ``the greatest 
     achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, the 
     value of which has been demonstrated by actual use in the 
     previous year.''
       The NAA said the award was bestowed ``for designing, 
     developing, testing, producing and placing into service the 
     C-17 Globemaster III whose performance and efficiency make it 
     the most versatile airlift aircraft in aviation history.''
       Named as recipients of the 1994 Collier Trophy were the 
     U.S. Air Force, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, and the C-17 
     industrial team of subcontractors and suppliers. The C-17 was 
     nominated for the award by the Air Force Association (AFA).
       ``We are highly honored that the C-17 has been selected by 
     the NAA for this most famous of all aviation awards,'' said 
     Harry Stonecipher, McDonnell Douglas president and chief 
     executive officer. ``This honor recognizes the dedication and 
     commitment at our company and its employees--along with our 
     supplier teammates--in designing, producing and delivering to 
     the Air Force the best military transport plane ever built.''
       In its nomination, the AFA cited the McDonnell Douglas C-17 
     as ``the linchpin airlift modernization'' and said that it 
     ``demonstrated in 1994 that it had the versatility 
     [[Page E373]] to create a new era in military airlift.'' AFA 
     pointed out that the C-17 landed four times the payload of 
     the C-130 into less than 3,000 feet of runway and carried 
     large Army equipment only the large C-5 could carry.
       While approximately the same external size of the C-141B, 
     the C-17 carries twice the payload. It also exceeded 
     ``demanding reliability and maintainability standards during 
     an intensive two week test period in November 1994,'' AFA 
     said.
       ``These remarkable achievements prove that the C-17 is the 
     world's most versatile airlift aircraft and will be the new 
     core airlifter to support the U.S. national security needs in 
     war and peace,'' the association said.
       The first test flight of the C-17 was on Sept. 15, 1991. 
     The C-17's developmental flight test program was completed in 
     December 1994 as scheduled.
       Eight production C-17s were delivered to the Air Force in 
     1994, the last five ahead of schedule. A total of 18 C-17s 
     have been delivered to the Air Force to date.
       The McDonnell Douglas C-17 is the only transport aircraft 
     in the world that can provide direct, long-distance delivery 
     of large combat equipment and troops, or humanitarian aid, 
     across intercontinental distances and land at small, 
     unimproved airstrips. It offers strategic and theater lift, 
     and is the only aircraft that can airdrop large armored 
     vehicles and engineering equipment.
       The first production aircraft delivered to an operational 
     unit arrived at the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C., 
     on June 14, 1993. The unit's first squadron of 12 C-17s were 
     declared ready for worldwide operations in January 1995. To 
     date, the C-17 Globermaster III fleet has accumulated 10,000 
     flying hours.
     

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