A GIANT transporter plane unveiled by the Prime Minister has completed its first mission to Afghanistan.

The RAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft was delivered to RAF Brize Norton, near Carterton, in January, when David Cameron visited the base to meet its operating crew.

It was the seventh C-17 to arrive at the Oxfordshire base, which will host repatriation ceremonies for fallen British soldiers from September.

Operated by 99 Squadron, the plane delivered more than 25 tonnes of Hellfire missiles, rifle ammunition, aircraft spares and air conditioning units to Camp Bastion.

Officer commanding 99 Squadron, Wing Commander David Manning, praised the aircraft, which can carry 138 people, three Apache helicopters or 13 Land Rovers.

He said: “It is immensely rewarding for air and ground crew of 99 Squadron to know that these crucial supplies are reaching our personnel on the front line, from ammunition for the front line soldier to take the fight to the Taliban, to aircraft spares for technicians keeping helicopters flying.

“This C-17 is already enhancing our support to the Afghanistan’s operational freight and passenger airbridge, while continuing to provide 24-hour aeromedical standby for our troops.

“The seventh C-17 is a welcome addition to a fleet which is in constant demand.”

Mr Cameron visited the base in January and praised the “fantastic efforts” of the men and women who work there.

RAF Brize Norton’s biggest role is as the ‘airbridge’ for all British military personnel flying out to combat zones.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, said: “The RAF’s C-17 aircraft are an incredibly capable and flexible workhorse in the RAF fleet.

“They form part of the critical airbridge link to Afghanistan and deliver a valuable capability to our deployed forces on the front line.

“The RAF’s seventh aircraft brings added flexibility and increased capability to our extremely hardworking air transport fleet.

“I am immensely proud of the outstanding contribution that all our aircraft and people are making to continued progress in Afghanistan.”