Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on Nov. 18 commissioned a C-17 Globemaster III Aircrew Training System (ATS) at RAAF Base Amberley.

The C-17 ATS, provided through a U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sales contract, was delivered for assembly and testing to Amberley in late April, making Australia the first C-17 ATS customer outside the United States.

“The commissioning of the C-17 ATS is pivotal to the continued training of a new generation of qualified C-17 airlifter crews,” said Group Capt. Andrew Doyle, director of the Australian C-17 Heavy Air Lift Acquisition Project for the RAAF. “We appreciate the team effort put forth by the U.S. Air Force, Boeing and its subcontractors, and various agencies within the Australian Department of Defence in delivering this great capability.”

Continuation training for current RAAF C-17 pilots and loadmasters will begin on Jan. 11, followed on Feb. 1 by the first intake of new RAAF pilot students seeking initial qualification. Boeing Defence Australia will provide instructors for these courses, as well as scheduling and logistics support. Subcontractor Thales Australia will perform future maintenance on the training devices.

“The RAAF is a significant international customer for Boeing, and we look forward to helping prepare RAAF aircrews for highly demanding operations around the world through the C-17 training program,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Training Systems and Services.

The C-17 ATS consists of a Weapons Systems Trainer (WST), a Loadmaster Station, a Learning Center and various support systems. The WST is a realistic, full-motion simulator used for pilot training. The Loadmaster Station is used by students to practice preflight operations, operation of aircraft systems, and emergency procedures.

The Australian C-17 ATS is the 12th Boeing-developed, -operated and -supported ATS site. A total of 11 sites are currently active in the United States, providing training to the U.S. Air Force and customers in the United Kingdom and Canada.

“Providing this training from the C-17 ATS’ first site outside the United States continues the growth of Boeing Defence Australia’s in-country training capability while enabling the RAAF to enhance its skills at one of its own facilities,” said Nigel Page, C-17 ATS site lead for Boeing Defence Australia.

Each year, the C-17 ATS provides initial instruction to more than 1,500 new pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster students and follow-up training to more than 8,000 students of customers from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

Boeing’s full range of training solutions includes mission planning systems; aircrew and maintenance training devices; training centers; and training services including instructors, courseware and logistics support.