Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Being a former Vietnam era U.S. Army aviator and avid aviation fan, I was privileged to be invited on a tour of a C-17A Globemaster III conducted by the ANG 172 AW at their base at Jackson Medgar Evers international Airport. This unit is an important part of the USAF strategic airlift capability worldwide.

All photos are taken with my Pentax K-3 and Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM or smc PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED[IF]. The fisheye was used for aircraft interiors and the 18-200 for all other shots.

All in all it was a very interesting tour. You will see that about half of my tour group was composed of women who were very interested in the aircraft and the unit and its mission. Warning "Old folks Alert" most of the group was composed of folks older than me, I'm 71.

First glimpse as we walked in

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this is one huge aircraft second only to the C-5M

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fisheye view of the cargo area

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fisheye view of the cockpit the young gent is one of the pilots

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Ramp shot of one of 9 C-17A Globemaster III assigned to the unit

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C-17A being towed for loading with Puerto Rico relief supplies

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Entering the huge hanger

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wwright Loc: Tucson

Great pics - brings back memories. I was Naval Air, but flew with the cargo from Roosevelt Roads PR, to NAS Dallas in a C141. Very similar layout, side jump seats, with the cargo pallets down the center.

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Thanks, my C-141 experience was coming back from Vietnam flat of my back on a stretcher freezing my butt off in a C-141 13 or so hours from Yakota Air Base in Japan after a 6 hr flight from Ben Hoa, Vietnam. These big old birds can tote a huge amount of cargo.

Thanks for the comment!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I was a P-3 Naval Aviator in the early 70s. An odd quirk a couple years ago allowed me to fly the C-17 simulator at McChord. What a thrill it was to try in flight refueling and a "penetration" landing!

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Sounds like you had a blast especially the penetration landing. These guys are in the pattern here almost daily along with USAF T-1A Jayhawks, T-38 Talons, USMC T-45 Goshawks and several times a week AC-130U Spookys from Hulburt Field FL the airport here has 50% military aviation traffic. Watching a C-17A doing a tactical approach is quite a sight.

Thanks for the comment!

Larry

Bill_de Loc: US

Although I live in a designated quiet zone, meaning no Air Force flights overhead unless there is an emergency at the base {Dover AFB, we have these and C5's overhead pretty often. Having grown up in the summer flight plan into then Idlewild {now Kennedy} airport when the Boeing 707 was introduced, I can't believe how quiet theses planes are. I love seeing them overhead.

I really like your photos.

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Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Amazing

ad9mac

I went to an air show several yrs. ago. A C-17 demonstrated a short field takeoff and landing.
IMO stole the show. Fantastic plane.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

A few years ago an Air Force pilot inbound to MacDill AFB at night mistakenly landed a C-17 at a 3500ft civil airfield here in Tampa and had no problem with the short runway length. Assuredly embarrassed, but the next day flew it out to the Air Force base a few miles away.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

aesop Loc: Finger Lakes area, NY

Thanks for the tour

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Thanks for the comment Bill, its very appreciated! We moved to our new home this past January and I was thrilled to find that I could sit on our patio and get shots of the military traffic that was in the pattern. We live under the east downwind leg of the traffic pattern. Those C5's are totally impressive but bad loud unless they are the M models. The new fanjet engines have really helped quieten the new large jets.

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Many thanks!!

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Thanks Jerry, I really appreciate the comment!