Port Blair, July 2: The Indian Air Force's latest acquisition American strategic C-17 Globemaster-III made its maiden flight to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Sunday. Climbing an altitude of 28,000 feet with an unrefueled range of 2,400 nautical miles, the aircraft landed at Port Blair to induct the rotational Infantry Battalion into the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Two more C-17 aircraft will be brought in within weeks. The aircraft are part of a fleet of 10 aircraft that are on order from Boeing. The C-17 will boost the IAF's long haul capability and will gradually replace the Russian Il-76.

Air Marshall PK Roy, AVSM, VM, VSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command congratulated the crew on its maiden flight to the island.