Transport Aircraft Operations

Photographs of large transport planes on airfields, demonstrating military logistics and aircraft capabilities in diverse environments.

C-17 Globemaster of the Royal Air Force against a cloudy sky.

An air-to-air left side view of a Soviet I1-38 May aircraft. Country: Unknown

C-17 Globemaster U.S. Air Force

Demonstration flight of the military transport aircraft Airbus A400M Atlas. ILA Berlin Air Show 2024 BERLIN - JUNE 06, 2024: Demonstration flight of the military transport aircraft Airbus A400M Atlas. ILA Berlin Air Show 2024. Copyright: xZoonar.com/SergeyxKohlx 21909200

Multiple KC-135 Stratotanker taxi 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.

A Transall C-16R of the French Air Force landing cart-wheel style, Saint Dizier, France.

A KC-135R of the Mississippi Air National Guard comes in for landing.

An An-26 military transport airplane of the Russian Air Force landing, Levashovo, Russia.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2013) A P-8A Poseidon sits on the flight line at Naval Air Station Jacksonville as a P-3C Orion passes overhead.

Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules aircraft used to transport equipment, fuel and the highly specialized maintenance crew for the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron, lands during the station's annual open house and air show. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

WC-135R Constant Phoenix tail number 64-14836 taxis in after arriving at the Lincoln Airport July 11, 2022. Originally delivered to the Air Force in 1964, the aircraft was modified to a WC-135R in Greenville, Texas, by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, better known as Big Safari.

Air-to-air, high, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, with left wing high, flying over the clouds and foothills of northern California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules takes off from Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar, Senegal, Nov. 4, 2014, en route to Monrovia, Liberia. The aircraft is carrying 8 tons of humanitarian aid and military supplies in support of Operation United Assistance, the U.S. Agency for International Development-led, whole-of-government effort to contain the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.

Shot of an E-3A Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System aircraft from Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right side view of a P-3A Orion aircraft on the flight line. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aircraft A321 of the air force, photographed during an unscheduled stop in Jeddah, 24 January 2024. The flight with the German Foreign Minister on board had to make a stopover in Jeddah due to a lack of overflight permission through Eritrean airspace. Baerbock is visiting Djibouti, Kenya and South Sudan as part of her trip to East Africa / Photographed on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron taxis on the runway at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Oct. 21, 2022. The 53rd WRS operates year-round collecting atmospheric data in support of the National Hurricane and National Winter Season Operations Plans.

People's Liberation Army Air Force Y-9 transport aircraft taking off from Dyagilevo Air Base, Russia.

Air to air front view of a Air Mobility Command's 60th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy flying a training mission near Travis AFB, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

A static C-141 Starlifter is displayed at the Wings of Freedom Park after its restoration at Altus Air Force Base (AAFB), Oklahoma, March 13, 2022. The C-141 operated at Altus AFB for 32 years after which it was succeeded by the C-17 Globemaster III.

A C-130 Hercules aircraft with desert camouflage on the runway. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Air-to-air, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, flying over the Golden Gate Bridge with Alcatraz and San Francisco in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-17 Globemaster II performs backing maneuvers on the runway at Le Bourget Airport during a flight demonstration at the 41st Paris Air Show. The Globemaster is attached to the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Base: Paris Country: France (FRA)

A right front view of C-5 Galaxy aircraft from the 436th Air Wing, Dover AFB, DE, deployed on the taxi way waiting for fuel at the Moi International Airport. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)

An Israeli Air Force C-130J Shimshon parked at Nevatim Airbase.

A portside aerial view of a US Navy (USN) S-3B Vikings, with the Sea Control Squadron 38 (VS-38), Red Griffins, assigned to the USS RANGER (CV 61) in flight over Nevada. The Viking is carrying an Aero ID 300 USG (300 gallons) fuel tank on the port wing. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 22nd Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, CA, KC-10A Extender air refueling aircraft seen from above as it flies over airfield building on an approach to Travis AFB, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

US Navy Lockheed S-3B Viking of the Blue Wolves with refueling probe extended over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii

U.S. Air Force, 7187, Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, ILA, Berlin-Schoenefeld, Germany, Europe

A 317th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules takes off from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 30, 2022. The 317th AW sent four C-130s in support of the ninth exercise of Agile Combat Employment during Patriot Furry.

A right side view of an Air Anti-submarine Squadron 35 (VS-35) S-3A Viking aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Station, North Island State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. - The WC-130J aircraft from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, passes by the Air Traffic Control Tower at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, April 5, 2022. The weather aircraft received depot level maintenance at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex and now dons a glossy gray paint scheme, which is a throwback to the original look of the weather aircraft prior to 2008.

A front view of a C-27A Spartan in flight over the tree tops just after take off. Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

A KC-135R of the Mississippi Air National Guard comes in for landing.

Il-76MD transport aircraft of Russian Air Force taxiing.

View of the Lockheed C-5B aircraft taken during Operation Team Spirit 93. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT 93 Country: Korea

Low angle view of a C-23 Sherpa in flight

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A C-17 lands on the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The plane is providing support for the aerial show being performed for the World Space Expo being held from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Aircraft participating are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet, U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle, the P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight and the U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing, which was responsible for Mercury and Gemini capsule recovery. The U.S. Army Golden Knights also will demonstrate precision skydiving. The World Space Expo is an event to commemorate humanity's first 50 years in space while looking forward to returning people to the moon and exploring beyond. The expo will showcase various panels, presentations and educational programs. It also is a part of NASA's 50th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the 45th Anniversary of the Mercury Program celebr

A C-130J Hercules from the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard, taxis into the pits during fire fighting operations at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 28, 2011. The C-130 is equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systemwhich is capable of dispensing 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in under five seconds. Wildfires have spread across various parts of Texas and have burned more than 1.5 million acres since January.

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster of the Mississippi Air National Guard, Ramstein, Germany.

Air-to-air, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, left wing high, flying over San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air-to-air, side view of a 63rd Airlift Wing's C-141B Starlifter, "Spirit of the Inland Empire," on a training mission with the Pacific coastline in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Norton Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing takes off from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2022 to begin a formation flight. The formation flight was part of the 757th Airlift Squadron's annual TAC week, a condensed week of flight training highlighted by a six-aircraft formation flight.

A C-130E Hercules aircraft from the 50th Airlift Squadron passes over the Arkansas River. Base: Little Rock State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military airlift aircraft is a high-wing four-engine T-tailed military transport airplane seen at the 2012 March Field Airfest in Riverside, California, USA

German Air Force A400M transport plane flying over Neuberg, Germany.

Turkish Air Force E-7 AWACS at Konya Air Base, Turkey.

An air-to-air right side view of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft from the 710th Military Airlift Squadron, Air Force Reserve, over the coast near Ukiah. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-10 Extender departs Travis Air Force Base, California Aug. 19, 2022. The KC-l0's primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III operated by the 3rd Wing approaches Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska during Arctic Thunder Open House July, 31, 2022. The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team flies the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft in the United States Air Force, embodying the Air Forces global reach mission.

WC-135R Constant Phoenix tail number 64-14836 taxis in after arriving at the Lincoln Airport July 11, 2022. Originally delivered to the Air Force in 1964, the aircraft was modified to a WC-135R in Greenville, Texas, by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, better known as Big Safari.

A B-52H Stratofortress taxis toward the runway for a CONUS-to-CONUS (C2C) training mission, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Sept. 29, 2022. The U.S. is committed to upholding a rules-based, free and open Ind-Pacific that protects the sovereignty of every nation, ensures the peaceful resolution of disputes without coercion, promotes free, fair and reciprocal trade and preserves freedom of navigation.

Air to air top front view of Air Mobility Command's 60th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter flying a training mission formation over the northern California coast line north of San Francisco, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

Phantom of the Ruhr

NASAs C-130 aircraft arrives at Kennedy Space Centers Launch and Landing Facility in Florida on May 11, 2020, carrying the Adaptive Caching Assembly (ACA) for NASAs Mars Perseverance rover The ACA consists of seven motors and more than 3,000 parts, all working in unison to collect samples from the surface of Mars. A chief component of the assembly is the Sample Handling Arm, which will move sample tubes to the main robotic arm's coring drill and then transfer the filled sample tubes into a space to be sealed and stored. The Mars Perseverance rover is scheduled to launch in mid-July atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket from Pad 41 at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rover is part of NASAs Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet. The rover will search for habitable conditions in the ancient past and signs of past microbial life on Mars. The Launch Services Program at Kennedy is responsible for launch management.

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, rear facing propeller aircraft,

970324-F-2828D-012. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX GAUNTLET Base: Libreville International Airport Country: Gabon (GAB)

Workers offload the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter from what looks like a giant shark mouth, but is really an Air Force C-17 air cargo plane which just landed at KSCs Shuttle Landing Facility from Edwards Air Force Base, California. .

A Lockheed LC-130H from the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard parked on the ramp at Christchurch, New Zealand between deployments to the ICE in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE 2001 or to Amundsen-Scott station at the South Pole. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001 Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

An-22 Antei military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force taxiing for departure.

Turkish Air Force E-7 AWACS aircraft during Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2016.

Santa Claus waves as he taxis on the ramp in a Montana Air National Guard C-130 Hercules at MTANG Base, Dec. 5, 2020. (Retired) Master Sgt. Joel Clum volunteered to be Santa Claus.

IL-76MD transport airplane of the Russian Air Force on the runway at Tver-Migalovo Air Base, Russia.

Pacific Ocean, June 27, 2006 - An E-2C Hawkeye makes a low pass during practice for an air power demonstration.

A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana takes-off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in support of a Bomber Task Force mission, April 9, 2023. U.S. forces will fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows, at the time and tempo of our choosing.

A B-52H Stratofortress parked on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 23, 2022. The B-52H Stratofortress can carry military assets with worldwide precision navigation capability.

220520-N-OA487-1003 HILLSBORO (May 20, 2022) - Spectators wait in line to take a tour of An EP3-E Aries II from Fleet Air Reconnaissance One (VQ-1) during the 2022 OregonInternational Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon, 20-22 May. During the show, more than 100,000 attendees were able to observe and interact with an all-women team of U.S. Navy aviators and crew, and view U.S. Navy aircraft including the F-35C Lightning II, CMV-22 Osprey, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18E Super Hornet, C-2A Greyhound, EP-3E Aries II, and MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

An aerial right side view of the CHIEF of Naval Operations P-3C Orion aircraft in flight over the air station. Base: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An RQ-4 Global Hawk taxies on the flightline as a U-2 makes its final approach Sept. 17, 2013, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. The RQ-4 and U-2 are the Air Forces primary high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers prepare to unload a Volga-Dnepr Antonov AN-124-100, a Ukranian/Russian cargo aircraft that has delivered the first stage of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket slated to launch NASA's Juno spacecraft.Juno is scheduled to launch aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., Aug. 5.The solar-powered spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere and investigate the existence of a solid planetary core.

The first A400M in service with the Turkish Air Force.

On Thursday 8th October 2020, Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, visits two defence companies essential to the economic fabric of the Brittany region. The Minister of the Armed Forces then visits SABENA TECHNICS, a company specialising in aeronautical maintenance, aircraft conversion and cabin fittings. Half of this company's turnover is in the military sector. SABENA TECHNICS will benefit from the government's aeronautics support plan with, in particular, the anticipation of the order for a light surveillance and intelligence aircraft (ALSR). Saint-Lunaire on 2020-10-08.Le jeudi 8 octobre 2020, Florence Parly, ministre des Armees, visite deux entreprises de defense essentielles au tissu economique de la region Bretagne. La ministre des Armées visite ensuite la societe SABENA TECHNICS, spécialisee dans la maintenance aeronautique, la transformation davions et laménagement des cabines. La moitie du chiffre daffaire de cette entreprise concerne lactivite militaire. SABENA

An air-to-air front view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft in camouflage paint scheme, flying over the Cooper River Bridge. The aircraft is assigned to the 437th Military Airlift Wing. Base: Charleston State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Transall C-160 on the Ballenstedt Transall C-160 airfield on the Ballenstedt Copyright airfield: xzoonar.com/zoonar/markusxhötzelx 21719054

USA, Florida, Sarasota, CAF Air Power History Tour, FIFI, Last Airworthy Boeing B-29 Heavy Bomber

A B-52H Stratofortress takes-off from Minot Air Force, North Dakota, Aug. 17, 2022. The temporary deployment of strategic bombers demonstrates the flexibility, readiness and global deference and enhances skills and relationships necessary to confront any global challenges.

A Turkish Air Force C-130 in flight over Konya, Turkey.

A C-130J Super Hercules landing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, at dusk.

A C-17 Globemaster III performs at the Titans of Flight Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 9, 2022. The airshow showcases more than 50 aerial demonstration performances and static aircraft displays.

Ground crewmen service a 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing RC-135U Stratolifter aircraft. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air-to-air, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, with the Golden Gate Bridge and coastline in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Testing Winglets on KC-135

NATO aircraft Airbus A400 M A German Air Force Airbus A400M during a NATO exercise: modern military transport aircraft in camouflage livery, taking off from a field airstrip, loaded with equipment and troops, mission coordination. Copyright: xZoonar.com/ThomasxFuhrmannx 22601728

An AVRO Lancaster B.1 bomber from the Battle or Britain Memorial Flight "City of Lincoln" on the liberation flying party in Rotterdam-Zestienhoven.

A B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater, they provide a critical role in strategic deterrence. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability.

DN-SC-88-06537. Base: Naval Air Station, Keflavik Country: Iceland (ISL)

Air to air view of RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft from the 55th Wing flying over the Badlands of North Dakota. Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Transall C-160G of the German Air Force touching down on the runway, Manching, Germany.

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

A C-130J-30 Hercules of the Italian Air Force at Turin Airport, Italy.

Air-to-air, front view of a 60th Airlift Wing C-5B Galaxy airlifter, left wing high, flying over San Francisco Bay with Marin County in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-12310. State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-767-200 of the Colombian Air Force prepares to take off.

DN-ST-90-01900. Country: Unknown

An E2-D Hawkeye, attached to the Greyhawks” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120, lands on the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) flight deck during flight operations, Sept. 22, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and workups for a scheduled deployment this fall.

060913-F-9528H-018. State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A V-22 Osprey Hovers in Helicopter Mode

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Atlantis' crew members begin to arrive aboard their T-38 jets. The astronauts are at Kennedy to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training in preparation for the upcoming STS-135 mission. Atlantis and its crew are targeted to lift off July 8, delivering the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft of the 437th Airlift Wing from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, sit parked on the ramp at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2022. Planes, equipment and Airmen came to Wright-Patt to get out of the way of Hurricane Ian which had crossed Florida and turned North.

An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force taking off.

An E-3C Airborne Warning & Control System aircraft assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing 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.

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