The Qatar Emiri Air Force has said it has received the first of two C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, which it ordered from Boeing in 2008. Qatar was the first Middle Eastern country to order the new airlifter, which will enable its air force to transport troops and equipment and to support humanitarian operations throughout the Middle East and South Asia, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Al-Malki, head of Qatar's airlift selection committee has said. The UAE announced on February 24 that it will also acquire four C-17s.