C-17 Struck By Stray Small Arms Fire

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A U.S. C-17 Globemaster III was struck by stray small arms fire in Bangui, Central African Republic Tuesday. There was minor damage to the aircraft, and no crew or passengers were harmed.

Initial assessments are that a single, stray round from a firefight in the vicinity punctured the wheel well of the C-17. There is no indication that the aircraft was targeted. The aircraft, which was on the ground at the time, has been cleared for flight and has continued on its mission.

U.S. military forces are currently airlifting Rwandan troops into the Central African Republic in support of a multinational peacekeeping effort to stem violence in the region.

The incident is currently under investigation.