The RAF is getting its money's worth out of a massive cargo aircraft it has just acquired.
The first of four C17 cargo aircraft leased from Boeing in the United States arrived at RAF Brize Norton last month and has already proved its worth.
On its first operational flight, it flew bulky equipment to Oman in preparation for a major exercise later this year by the UK's Rapid Reaction Force. Since then, it has flown to Canada airbase to carry equipment from a Harrier squadron on exercise.
The second aircraft will join the newly formed No 99 Squadron at Brize Norton within a few days, with the remaining two due to arrive in August.
Station spokesman Squadron Leader Dave Rowe said: "There is certainly no shortage of work for the new giant cargo carrier."
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