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 aerial view of a USAF E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. From AIRMAN Magazine June 1995 issue article "QUALITY". Base: Keesler Air Force Base State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tikrit, Iraq - High dynamic range image of a C-17 Globemaster as it was unloading

An Atlas Air Boeing 747 taxis to a parking spot at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Oct. 9, 2010. The 747 carries blood products that are used to support patients throughout the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

Airmen from the 191st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, tow a KC-135 Stratotanker early morning to the west side of the base using an MB-2 tow tractor Nov. 2, 2022. The tow tractor is a work-horse used to transport heavy aircraft across the flightline without powering on the aircraft, conserving energy resources.

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.

An air-to-air front view of a 731st Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130B Hercules aircraft in-flight over Colorado Springs. State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Classic aircraft Lockheed Super Constellation C-121C Connie seen from the rear after takeoff

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - An Orbital Sciences L-1011 carrier aircraft taxis to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., before taking off on a mission to launch NASA's IRIS spacecraft into low-Earth orbit. IRIS, short for Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, was launched aboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket released from the L-1011.

The tail section of an USAF Reserve C-5 Galaxy (#68306) as a water tanker is loaded.(Exact date unknown). Base: Montgomery Air National Guard State: Alabama (AL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air-to-air view of a 22nd Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, California, KC-10A Extender, flying toward the camera over the snow-covered High Sierra mountains of northern California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135R Stratotanker belonging to the 117th Air Refueling Wing is parked on the flightline Nov. 5, 2022, at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama. The KC-135R Stratotanker is the primary aircraft used for high speed aerial refueling to provide U.S. Air Force aircraft with extended range and mobility.

The supermoon rises over the flightline Sept. 8, 2014, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. Supermoons are full moons that coincide with lunar perigee, when the moon's orbit brings it closest to Earth.

Air to air left side view of a 28th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135R flying over the ramp and flight line of Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota where it is based. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

A Halter Marine Mark V combatant craft is offloaded from a USAF C-5A Galaxy of the 439th Air Wing at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. It will undergo testing and evaluation on Tampa Bay. The 57-ton water jet-powered craft has a 5 man crew and can carry 16 SEALS. It has a 50 knot speed and 500 nautical mile range. Base: Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tu-95MS strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force landing, Zhukovsky, Russia.

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers after a Red Flag mission in Nevada.

IL-20PP reconnaissance aircraft of the Russian Air Force in flight.

Y-9 transport aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force taking off.

The Breguet BR1150 Atlantic (SP-13A) Maritime Patrol Vlieguik 250 (1970-1984) in a hangar at Marineliegkamp Valkenburg.

C-9 Nightingale medical evacuation aircraft on the flight line at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The aircraft will be used to fly the American prisoners of war released by the Viet Cong at Loc Ninh, South Vietnam to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Subject Operation/Series: HOMECOMING Base: Saigon Country: South Vietnam

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron taxis onto the runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, Jan. 25, 2024. Upon completion of the take-offs, the airfield was closed again until further notice as the accident investigation team continues its work.

An Israeli Air Force C-130 Karnaf landing on a temporary dirt runway.

View of a Russian Antonov AN-225 transport flying a capabilities demonstration overhead for attendees at the Abbotsford Air Show. Exact Date Shot Unknown. State: British Columbia (BC) Country: Canada (CAN)

A German Air Force C-160D transport aircraft, Grossenhain, Germany.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - This Super Guppy aircraft is parked on NASA Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility after landing. It has flown to the Center to pick up and transport the common module structural test element to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The common module is an aluminum canister used as a structural test element for an actual Space Station flight element. At Marshall, the module will be used to conduct advanced environmental control and life support testing for future NASA exploration missions. The Super Guppy aircraft has a unique hinged nose that can open more than 200 degrees, allowing large pieces of cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the front. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. NASA personnel at Ellington Field outfitted the Super Guppy with a specially designed cradle to be used when carrying International Space Station componen

Turboprop aircraft ATR 72-500, in flight, Asia

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster III Spirit of Berlin from the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, participates as a static aircraft during the Innovation and Leadership in Aerospace Berlin, held at the Berlin Expo Center Airport, Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, June 26, 2022. Other rotary and fixed wing military aircraft on display at the show included F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, P-8A Poseidon aircraft, CH-53K King Stallion aircraft, CH-47F Chinook aircraft, AH-64E Apache, UH-60M Blackhawk aircraft and UH-70 Lakota aircraft, along with more than 200 Servicemembers providing support. Together with our allies and partners, the U.S. continues to improve our speed, posture, transparency and alignment.

A Soviet An-225 aircraft sits on the flight line. It is refueling at Elmendorf en route to an air show in British Columbia. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An IL-76MD military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force performing go around, Russia.

C130 Hercules transport aircraft.

Moroccan Air Force CN-235M transport aircraft taking off from Menara, Morocco.

An E-3A Sentry aircraft patrols over the Saudi desert during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

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.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With the assistance of a "towback" vehicle, space shuttle Atlantis inches its way into the empty bay of Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once inside the processing facility, Atlantis will be prepared for future public display at Kennedy's Visitor Complex.Atlantis' final return from space at 5:57 a.m. EDT concluded the STS-135 mission, secured the space shuttle fleet's place in history and brought a close to America's Space Shuttle Program. Main gear touchdown was at 5:57:00 a.m. EDT, followed by nose gear touchdown at 5:57:20 a.m., and wheelstop at 5:57:54 a.m. On board were STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim. On the 37th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-135 delivered the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with more than 9,400 pounds of spare parts, equipment and supplies that will sustain station operations for t

Airbus A400M of the German Air Force, 31/07/2018

U.S. Air Force KC-135's assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Wing are parked on the flightline at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Oct. 21, 2022. Photos of the aircraft were for general public affairs use.

E-2C Hawkeye

IL-76TD military transport aircraft of the Algerian Air Force taking off.

Right side view of a Russian IL-38 May anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft parked on the tarmac. Base: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Commemorative Air Force C-47 Skytrain sits on the tarmac after arriving for The Great Texas Airshow Apr. 21, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The U.S. Air Force is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a The Great Texas Airshow as a key event. The airshow features the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds performing for people to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Forces premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on prepares to land at Travis Air Force Base, California, April 12, 2022. Travis AFB has a diverse capability to meet the nations global air mobility need to support allied aircraft.

An-22 and IL-76MD transport aircrafts of the Russian Air Force at Tver-Migalovo Air Base, Russia.

An air-to-air front view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft, in a camouflage paint scheme, as it flies over San Francisco Bay. A portion of the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen in the background. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft on a Special Operations Low Level (SOLL) training mission. State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Once the system is refilled and charged, refueling takes place prior to another airdrop of retardant. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Republic of Congo Il-76TD taking off from Villafranca, Italy.

Aircrafts - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-56-9. CG C-130 and HH-60 on ramp. Hurricane Katrina

An IL-38N Novella anti-submarine airplane of the Russian Navy flying above woodlands in Russia.

Airbus A400M, photographed in Islamabad, 29.04.2021. Copyright: Florian Gaertner photothek.de, Islamabad, Pakistan, Asia

Transport aircraft Airbus A300-600ST Super Transporter, also known as Beluga, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, Europe

NASA's new B-52H is seen here on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.

Tails of retired air force planes in Tucson Tails of many grounded and retired air force planes in the Boneyard near Tucson Arizona Copyright: xZoonar.com/StevexHeapx 10228936

A forklift offloads supply pallets from a C-130 Hercules at Cape Romanzof, Alaska, Dec. 4, 2012. Cape Romanzof is a radar site that is part of the North Warning System, a 2,983-mile long and 199-mile wide "tripwire" stretching from Alaska, through Canada, to Southern Labrador. The radar sites cannot operate without these resupply missions, as many of the sites have no roads in or out.

IL-38N Novella anti-ship airplane of the Russian Navy taking off.

Hampshire, England - 09 August 2025: Aerial view of a vintage warplane soaring through the sky, seen from another aircraft's window, with a patchwork of fields below.

German Air Force transport plane flying during NATO exercise

DN-SC-87-00058. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130H Hercules aircraft flies over Pyramid Lake, Nevada, during an Employer Support or 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.

A German Navy P-3C Orion backtracks the runway for departure.

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was airborne for almost two hours during its first check flight at Waco, Texas on April 26, 2007.

The Spirit of Portsmouth, a KC-46A assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing, sits in the evening sunlight on the ramp at Joint Base Elmondorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 30, 2022. The plane was in Alaska to receive its patriotic new paint job at the 176th Wing's 36,000 square-foot paint booth, one of the largest in the Department of Defense.

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron taxis across the runway at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Aug. 18, 2022. Bomber missions demonstrate the credibility of our forces to maintain the global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any other time in our history.

A left front view of several P-3C Orion aircraft of Reserve Patrol Squadron 68 (PV-68) parked on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-5A Galaxy aircraft prepares to takeoff in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

The Breguet BR1150 Atlantic (SP-13A) maritime patrol range 255 (1971-1981).

An EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft from the 193rd Special Operations Wing performs a flyover during Community Days at the Lancaster Airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Sept.17, 2022. Airmen from the 193rd SOW brought to close a 54-year chapter in the unit history as one of the three EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft delivered its final broadcast during the Community Days Air Show event.

Aerial view, Airbus A380 from Lufthansa during its first landing on the factory airfield of Finkenwerder, Finkenwerder, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, Europe

Closeup of starboard landing gear and external fuel tank on military fighter jet on display in public park

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility, T-38 jet training aircraft are lined up on the parking apron. T-38s are typically used by astronauts to travel between Johnson Space Center, Houston, and Kennedy Space Center. The STS-98 crew recently arrived aboard the jets to prepare for their launch Feb. 7 to the International Space Station. The seventh construction flight to the Space Station, it will carry the U.S. Laboratory Destiny, a key module for space experiments

The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team performs over Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 3, 2022. The Shaw Air & Space Expo featured 12 aerial acts and 10 static display aircraft, as well as other attractions and displays which attracted more than 55,000 guests to attend.

A 60th Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft departs the station for Christchurch, New Zealand, after a resupply mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE Country: Antarctica (ATA)

IL-76TD military transport airplane of the Uzbekistan Air Force landing.

Two Breguet BR1150 Atlantic (SP-13A) maritime patrol yields (1969-1984), including the 257 (1971-1973), at Marineliegkamp Valkenburg.

The Spirit of Portsmouth, a KC-46A assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing, sits in the evening sunlight on the ramp at Joint Base Elmondorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 30, 2022. The plane was in Alaska to receive its patriotic new paint job at the 176th Wing's 36,000 square-foot paint booth, one of the largest in the Department of Defense.

KC-135 Stratotanker from the 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard sits on the flight line at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, ready to refuel across the globe. KC-135s from the 168th Wing enable sustained aerial refueling to joint and allied partners providing deterrence and maintaining peace and stability.

A Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules wears the paint scheme of the Turkish Stars.

A C-130 Hercules of the 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., taxis on the flightline of the Johan Adolf Penger Airport carrying supplies and personnel.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT HAVEN Country: Suriname (SUR)

A close-up view of the front of an SH-3A Sea King helicopter aboard the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

SOFIA at nighttime in New Zealand.

A400M military transport airplane taking off.

An air-to-air right side view of a 438th Airlift Wing, C-141 Starlifter flying over suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The C-141, tail #40616 provides long range airlift capability for Air Mobility Command. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air to air top front view of Air Mobility Command's 60th Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy flying the Sacramento delta comes in for a ladning at Travis AFB, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

A United Nations chartered Russian IL-76 aircraft is unloaded at the Sarajevo Airport. The IL-76 is contracted to move peacekeepers and deliver supplies to Sarajevo. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE PROMISE Base: Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

USA, South Dakota, Box Elder, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Air and Space Museum, F-86 Sabre Jet Fighter

An An-30 surveillance aircraft of the Russian Air Force pictured in United Nations colors.

Shot of the first C-141C Starlifter aircraft from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California, to land on the ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE Base: Mcmurdo Station Country: Antarctica (ATA)

A U.S. Air Force CV-22B Osprey, assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing, is hoisted offof a Norwegian Army engineered ramp via crane barge, Norway, Sept. 27, 2022. The Ospreyexperienced an in-flight emergency nearly six weeks prior, requiring the pilots to land the aircraftimmediately. After it was determined to be un-repairable at the site, plans went into motion torecover the Osprey by sea barge.

Right side view of a parked C-141B Starlifter aircraft from the 41st Military Airlift Squadron. Base: Tempelhof Airport Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

March 31, 2013 - A Boeing E-7A Wedgetail of the Royal Australian Air Force taxiing at Langkawi Airport, Malaysia.

A rainbow is pictured in the background of C-130H Hercules aircraft at the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, aircraft parking area in Peoria, Illinois, Sept. 21, 2022. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rainbows appear when sunlight reflects off the inside of water droplets, which separates it into wavelengths that appear as color.

Spectators enjoy 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.

U.S. Air Force KC-135's assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Wing are parked on the flightline at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Oct. 21, 2022. Photos of the aircraft were for general public affairs use.

USA, Indiana, Indianapolis, Mount Comfort Airport. A US Navy Blue Angels pilot waves from atop Fat Albert support aircraft at an air show.

A C-130H Hercules transport plane attempts to make a sharp turn at the corner of Cooper Curve & Merrell Lane April 25, 2022 at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. The aircraft is being towed to its static display location near the main gate on base.

Students from Oklahoma State Universitys Agricultural Leadership Experience pose for a photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III at Altus Air Force Base (AAFB), Oklahoma, Oct. 25, 2022. For most of the students, the tour of AAFB was the first time they had ever been on an Air Force base.

USA, Florida, New Smyrna Beach, Goodyear blimp (Large format sizes available)

A close up view of the main gate sign. Base: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base State: Ohio (OH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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