The UK Royal Air Force has used one of its four Boeing C-17Globemaster transports to move a dismantled Panavia Tornado F3 fighter to the Falkland Islands. The Tornado is part of the RAF's 1435 Flight, which provides air defence for the south Atlantic colony. The transfer of fighters for heavy maintenance in the UK previously required a long ferry flight supported by in-flight refuellings as well as support from transport and maritime patrol aircraft. The C-17, which entered RAF service on a seven year lease last year, can do the trip via a refuelling stop in Ascension Island.
Source: Flight International
