Operating under No.86 Wing of the Air Lift Group, No. 36 Squadron based at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane has recently acquired four C17 Globemaster aircraft which replace the venerable C-130H Hercules which served 36 SQN since 1978. The C-17 Globemaster is a high-wing four-engine heavy transport. It has three times the carrying capacity of the C-130 Hercules or the same load as 2.5 semi trailers, allowing Australia to rapidly deploy troops, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world. It can operate out of airfields down to only 3500 feet long which is impressive considering its weight. The Globemaster is large enough to transport the M1A1 Abrams tank, Black Hawk, Sea Hawk or Chinook helicopters, three Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters or five Bushmaster infantry vehicles. It significantly enhances our ability to support national and international operations, and major disaster relief efforts. So far in its short ADF life it has been utilized extensively across the globe already proving very capable and reliable.
