The mini C-17 is shy and kind. they/them The US Air Force officially operates a fleet of 222 C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, but unofficially, the service has 223 C-17s, that is, if you count the “Mini C-17.” This toylike model, which Air Force personnel built in the early 2000s, almost looks like a plane in its own right. its nickname is Mini.