Jan. 2 – Turin begins the final steps towards the completion of the first C-27J for the Royal Australian Air Force. The fuselage was initially assembled in the Capodichino factory near Naples, to then be transferred first on the road until the Port of Naples, then on boat until Genoa, to finally reach Turin-Caselle by road. The Australians ordered 10 aircrafts last May in the context of the US Foreing Military Sales, Joint Cargo Aircraft program. RAAF will use the C-27J for strategic transport and as replacement of the bimotor Caribous, officially retired from the field in 2009 after 45 years of service. The C-27J will fit perfectly with the other aircrafts used by the RAAF: the CH-7 Chinook and the C-130J Hercules.
