The C-17 Globemaster III, the US Air Force's long-range strategic transport aircraft, plays an integral role in the service's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

Introduced as US Air Force doctrine in 2022, ACE focuses on spreading out power and operations from large, centralized bases to smaller, dispersed locations, providing the force with greater mobility and the ability to rapidly respond to a wide variety of threats.

Physical dispersal further complicates adversaries' abilities to target US Air Force and allied air power, enabling ACE to "increase survivability while generating combat power," according to the Air Force.

The ACE concept centers around multiple, small-scale ground operations in a forward battlefield area supported by multiple fighter and land attack aircraft.

The C-17's role in the concept is to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions to resupply these small forward operating bases -- a function it is uniquely suited for because of its ability for short takeoff and landing even with large payloads.

The US Air Force currently maintains a fleet of 223 Globemaster IIIs, including 157 active duty aircraft.

The aircraft is designed to handle the strategic delivery of both troops and cargo to all bases, whether major operating bases or forward deployment zones, in all conditions.

The high-wing, four-engine transport aircraft can transport 77,519kg of freight while climbing to a flight ceiling of 13,716 meters. It can deliver personnel, munitions and even other aircraft, such as Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters.

Current threats demand that the US Air Force is able to transport heavy duty equipment and firepower to combat zones in one trip.

The durable C-17 fulfills this need with its ability to carry virtually any military equipment. Its payloads can contain a 70-ton Abrams tank, 10 up-armored Humvees, two tractor trailer trucks or even 100 fully outfitted paratroopers.

Durability in all situations

With 18,325.1kg of thrust in each of its four engines and engine thrust reversers, the C-17 is able to adeptly maneuver on very small runways in forward operating bases.

The thrust reversers can be used to reverse direction and back up on narrow runways. They direct air flow upward and forward, preventing the engines from ingesting dust and debris.

Maintenance and reliability are also a cornerstone of the C-17, making it an ideal aircraft to support the ACE concept, which prizes aircraft that are readily repaired and maintained to best support operational effectiveness.

The Globemaster III requires only 20 aircraft maintenance man-hours per flying hour to keep the aircraft in peak operational condition, according to the Air Force.

The aircraft can be refueled in flight and, despite its impressive weight of 265,352kg, requires a limited crew of two pilots and one loadmaster, reducing risk exposure and operating costs.

Also central to the ACE concept is the employment of multi-use aircraft.

The Globemaster III goes beyond supply and is well suited to conduct medical evacuation (medevac) operations for both litter and ambulatory patients. It can transport up to 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients on top of requisite medical crew.

Described by the US Air Force medical service as a "flying ICU [intensive care unit]," the aircraft has brought troops in combat to medical centers to receive care, transported patients back to the United States and conducted humanitarian aid operations in regions devastated by natural disasters.