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Military Transport Aircraft

Images of various military transport planes including C-17 and IL-76MD, showcasing large aircraft on the runway and in action.

C17 transport plane and ground support at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, US Air Force, airfreighter taking off at Frankfurt airport, Hesse, Germany, Europe

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to 3rd Wing approaches the flight line at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 27, 2022. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases, or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten)

A CV-22 Osprey prepares for take-off

A WC-130J Super Hercules takes off during a hurricane tracking mission Sept. 19, 2010, at the airport on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron will collect data on building tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.

A Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 awaits visitors at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 8, 2022. The US-2 is an amphibious aircraft designed for personnel rescue and contingency response.

An air-to-air right side view of a camouflaged C-141B Starlifter aircraft, from the 437th Military Airlift Wing, off the coast of South Carolina. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A Chadian Air Force C-27J Spartan taking off, Italy.

DN-ST-90-03892. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

The Air Force provided a C-17 Globemaster III for use in the Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) effort. Researchers are using the airplane for ground testing of new engine health monitoring technologies.

February 2, 2011 - A ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guards 109th Airlift Wing takes off during an Operation Deep Freeze mission in Antarctica. The 109th Airlift Wing, which participates in the Antarctic missions from Christchurch, New Zealand, is the only organization that flies the ski-equipped LC-130s.

P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft of the U.S. Navy.

military four jet airplane over head

A B-52H assigned to the 20th Bomb Squadron rises into the sky. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STRIKE Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220713-N-KD414-0254 An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the Black Eagles of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113 , awaits flight operations onboard Point Mugu Jul. 09, 2022. NBVC is comprised of three distinct facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. It is the largest employer in Ventura County and actively protects Californias largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental programs.

U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft are parked on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, April 10, 2022. The aircraft participated in exercise Roundel Perun 22-01, testing the ability to employ rapid mobility capabilities during possible real-world scenarios.

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing at the Titans of Flight Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 8, 2022. The airshow showcases more than 50 aerial demonstration performances and static aircraft displays.

An E-7 Wedgetail of the Royal Australian Air Force taking off.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The first three elements for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) arrive at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility aboard an Air Force C-17 cargo plane. The cruise stage, back shell and heat shield, the first flight elements to arrive for the MSL mission, were taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) located in the KSC Industrial Area to begin processing. The Curiosity rover will arrive next month. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V-541 configuration will be used to loft MSL into space. Curiositys 10 science instruments are designed to search for evidence on whether Mars has had environments favorable to microbial life, including chemical ingredients for life. The unique rover will use a laser to look inside rocks and release its gasses so that the rovers spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth. MSL is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida Nov. 25 with a window extending to Dec. 18 and

DF-ST-87-00814. Country: West Germany (FRG)

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon taxis for departure.

IL-76MD transport airplane of the Russian Air Force landing.

Airbus A400 transport aircraft of the German Air Force, landing at Cologne/Bonn airport, CGN, belongs to the air transport squadron 62 air refueling probe, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

A C-130J Super Hercules flies over Central Arkansas during a formation flight, June 1, 2022. The formation was led by the 61st Airlift Squadron, which is a flying squadron assigned to world's largest C-130 unit, the 19th Airlift Wing.

A KC-135 Stratotanker arrives at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., marking its official arrival and the beginning of the transition of the 914th's mission from an airlift wing to an air refueling wing. This was the first of eight aircraft that will be flown in over the course of the next several months.

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft taxis down the runway May 14, 2022, at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tanker aircrews were tested on their ability to rapidly generate multiple sorties during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise.

IL-20M reconnaissance aircraft of the Russian Air Force taking off from Russia.

A right front view of an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft on display on the flight line at a Department of Defense Joint Services Open House. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-17 Globemaster III is on display during the Fairchild Skyfest 2022 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 14, 2022. Team Fairchild held the Fairchild Skyfest 2022 airshow as a means of thanking the local community for their support and partnerships, as well as to inspire future generations of Airmen with a showcase of U.S. Air Force assets and their capabilities.

041016-F-9429S-020. Base: Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Right side view of a P-3C Update I Orion aircraft LW-00 of Patrol Squadron 68 (VP-68), the Black Hawk (Blackhawk)s, taxing toward the Naval Air Facility Washington, D.C. terminal after completing a training flight which set a new standard of aviation safety for the Naval Reserve by marking 100,000 mishap free flight hours. The squadron was commissioned in 1970 and compiled the safety record over the next 24 years, one flight at a time. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A400M transport aircraft of the Luxembourg Air Force.

Three-quarter left front view of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress on airstrip. Bicycles in background.

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon taxis for departure.

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway, carried aloft by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on March 27, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was launched from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 7.

DN-SC-89-01714. Base: Naval Air Station, Moffett Field State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Vice President of the United States Kamala D. Harris departs Yokota Air Base, Japan, onboard Air Force Two, Sep. 29, 2022. Vice President Harris joined other dignitaries and world leaders to pay tribute to the life and memory of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his state funeral.

A KC-46APegasus from McConnell Air Force Base,Kansas stopped at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio for a routine stop and allowed base personnel to tour the aircraft Oct. 12, 2022.

An A-10A Thunderbolt aircraft from the 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing taxis to a refueling area following a mission during the joint readiness exercise Arctic Warrior '91. Subject Operation/Series: ARCTIC WARRIOR '91 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska(AK) Country: United States Of America(USA)

Under heavy cloud cover a C-141C Starlifter, from March Air Reserve Base, California, is uploaded. The aircraft will transport the cargo load from Christchurch, New Zealand, to McMurdo Station in Antarctica during Operation DEEP FREEZE 2001. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001 Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The NOAA-N Prime spacecraft is offloaded from a C-5 aircraft after arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base Airfield in California. NOAA-N Prime was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company for its Advanced Television Infrared Observational Satellites -N series. It is the latest polar-orbiting operational environmental weather satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The satellite will provide a platform to support environmental monitoring instruments for imaging and measuring the Earth's atmosphere, its surface and cloud cover, including Earth radiation, atmospheric ozone, aerosol distribution, sea surface temperature and vertical temperature and water profiles in the troposphere and stratosphere. The satellite will assist in measuring proton and electron fluxes at orbit altitude, collecting data from remote platforms to assist the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking system. The satellite will

M-28 Skytruck used by the German Army to train parajumpers, Altenstadt, Germany.

A C-141 Starlifter from the 621st AME, McGuire AFB, NJ., lifts off from the runway in support of Operation Uphold Democracy on 20 Sept. 94 at Pope AFB, NC. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Chadian Air Force C-27J Spartan taxiing at Turin Airport, Italy.

IL-20PP reconnaissance aircraft of the Russian Air Force taking off.

A C-141B Starlifter aircraft in flight over the city. Base: Sydney State: New South Wales Country: Australia (AUS)

Super Guppy Landing at Dryden Flight Research Center

An air-to-air left side view of a P-3C Orion aircraft with an AGM-84A Harpoon missile on its wing, during tests on the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) range. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron and Lockheed Martin crew members offload a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite from a U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy at NASA Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, Jan. 23, 2024. The 9th AS aircrew transported NOAAs newest weather satellite, GOES-U, to Kennedy Space Center from Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, using its oversized carrying capacity as the largest mobility aircraft in the Air Forces inventory. GOES-U will be able to monitor severe weather, identify volcanic eruptions, measure land and sea surface temperatures, provide early alerts to emergency responders during wildfires and observe solar flares that could impact telecommunication on and around Earth.

DN-ST-89-11276. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-06748. State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52H Stratofortress taxis on the Main Parking Apron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 3, 2022. The aircraft participated in a flyover to help promote recruitment and highlight Air Force Global Strikes Project Tuskegee.

DN-SC-89-04612. Country: Unknown

061124-N-0490C-001. Base: Arabian Sea

A B-52H, tail number 61-0025, arrives at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center after landing July 30, 2001.

As of a result of winter storm "Nemo", 20 inches of snow covered Westover Air Reserve Base, Chicopee, Mass., between Feb. 8 and Feb. 10, 2013. Massachusetts declared a state of emergency and Gov. Duvall Patrick initiated the first driving ban since the blizzard of 1978.

A Breguet BR1150 Atlantic (SP-13A) maritime patrol range (1969-1984) on the platform of Marineliegkamp Valkenburg.

Three U.S. Air Force C-141 Starlifters taxi for take off at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE '96 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52 "H" model, on loan to NASA Dryden from the U.S. Air Force, touches down at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 30, 2001.

An air-to-air left front view of a Marine Corps KC-130F Hercules aircraft assigned to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team. Country: Unknown

A C-130 Hercules aircraft performs a Low Altitude Pallet Extraction System (LAPES) maneuver during the taping of "Bob Hope's High Flying Birthday Extravaganza," a television show celebrating comedian Bob Hope's 84th birthday. The show preceded the ninth annual international airlift competition Airlift Rodeo '87. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Be-976 special plane for missile testing, Zhukovsky, Russia.

941201-N-5474B-005. Country: Sea Of Japan

A U.S. Air Force E-3A Sentry taking off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Left side view of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft, with two BQM-34S targets mounted under the wing, taking off en route to the Pacific Missile Test Center Range. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

USAF JSTARS converted Boeing aircraft based on the venerable 707 takes off from Nellis AFB, NV during a Red Flag mission.

Pacific Ocean, June 11, 2008 - An E-2C Hawkeye launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 are conducting tailored ship's training availability off the coast of Southern California.

A C-130 Hercules takes off from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE '96 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Kawasaki P-1 ASW aircraft of the Japanese Air Force.

The word "Rodeo" and a kangaroo decal adorn an aircraft power cart during Rodeo '92. The kangaroo decal is from the Royal Australian Air Force team. The C-130 aircraft belongs to the United Kingdom team. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '92 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-130 Hercules from the Savannah Air National Guard taxis down the flightline at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023, while transporting participants for Accelerating the Legacy 2023. Accelerating the Legacy is an aviation heritage event that honors the Tuskegee Airmens legacy, offers professional development and networking opportunities to Total Force Airmen, and inspires the next generation of aviation professionals.

Douglas C 124 C Globemaster II at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

A B-52H Stratofortress sit parked in the fog on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 16, 2022. The B-52 bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.

An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 110 (VAW-110) prepares to land. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Spanish Navy SH-60F at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain.

Hitching a ride on the same B-52 mother ship that once launched X-15 research aircraft in the 1960s, NASA's X-43A scramjet and it's Pegasus booster rocket performed a captive carry evaluation flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California, January 26, 2004. The X-43 and it's booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout this mission, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft is autonomous and has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, approaches Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska during the Arctic Thunder Open House (ATOH) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2022. ATHOH is a biennial event hosted by JBER and is one of the largest in the state and one of the premier aerial demonstrations in the world. The event features multiple performers to include the JBER Joint Forces Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 72nd Aerial refueling Squadron at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This years event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force.

A B-52H Stratofortress taxis on the Main Parking Apron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 3, 2022. The aircraft participated in a flyover to help promote recruitment and highlight Air Force Global Strikes Project Tuskegee.

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender prepares to take off from Travis Air Force Base, California, April 12, 2022. The KC-10 is an aerial refueling tanker capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. The KC-10 can transport up to 75 people and nearly 170,000 pounds.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron, takes off from the runway at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 28, 2024. Each of the B-52s eight engines is capable of producing up to 17,000 pounds of thrust; allowing it to fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, while carrying a payload of up to 70,000 pounds. Air Force

DN-SC-05-10859. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II sits on the flight line during the 2022 Smoky Mountain Air Show Sept. 10, 2022 at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. The two-day annual event provided the local community with a rare chance to see modern and historic aircraft up close and to meet military members.

VENTURA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2012) An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 fly over the Pacific Ocean near Ventura, Calif. VAW-117 is a command and control and airborne early Warning Squadron dedicated to deliver time critical situational awareness to warfare commanders and coalition partners.

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender lands during Wings Over Solano at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 14, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB.

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. The E-7A Wedgetail combines long-range surveillance radar, secondary radar and tactical/strategic voice and data communications systems.

Three C-130 Hercules from the 165th Airlift Wing begin pre-flight engine checks on the flight line in Savannah, Georgia, September 11, 2022. The 165th AW recently completed the second phase of the modernization process that transitioned the C-130s from four-bladed propellers to eight-bladed propellers. The eight-bladed propellers will deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance.

A B-29 Superfortress from the Commemorative Air Force performs an aerial demonstration over the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2022 as part of the Thunder Over Louisville air show. This years event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force.

An An-22 Antey transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force prepares for landing, Russia.

Pima Air Museum P# Orion

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 13, 2016) - An E2-C Hawkeye assigned to the Screwtops of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the flagship of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. Ike is underway preparing for an upcoming scheduled deployment.

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130H Hercules aircraft flies over Pyramid Lake, Nevada, during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, April, 15, 2022. One of the Nevada National Guards strategic priorities is to be engaged and involved with the local communities, and these flights are one of the ways the High Rollers build support from members of the Greater Reno Area.

Dryden B-52 Launch Aircraft on Dryden Ramp

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130H Hercules aircraft flies over Pyramid Lake, Nevada, during an Employers Supporting the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, April, 15, 2022. One of the Nevada National Guards strategic priorities is to be engaged and involved with the local communities, and these flights are one of the ways the High Rollers build support from members of the Greater Reno Area.

Bell Helicopter Textron Boeing V-22 Osprey VTOL STOL tiltroter aircraft. Flown by the US Marine Corps. The Department of Defense began the V-22 program in 1981. Full-scale development of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft began in 1986.

Aerial right side view of a P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft of Patrol Squadron Forty-Four (VP-44) in flight over New England. The aircraft, bureau #LM-08-160611, is the personal aircraft of the squadron commanding officer, CDR A.M. Harms , as painted on the nose of the aircraft. Base: Brunswick State: Maine (ME) Country: United States Of America (USA)

IL-82 flying command post of the Russian Air Force taxiing.

A tanker version of the A310 of the German Air Force.

An air-to-air left underside view of a B-52 Bomber during bombing runs at V.I.P. Hill.(Exact date shot unknown). Base: Udayri Range Country: Kuwait (KWT)

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. The E-7A Wedgetail is equipped with a high-powered radar, used to monitor the battle space and provide friendly forces with an advantage over their opponents.

A Royal Dutch Air Force C-130 Hercules taking off.

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