Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, tail number 96-0002 performing several fly-by demonstrations before the crowd attending the airshow. The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft used by the USAF to perform tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world. The C-17 was first introduced to the USAF in 1995 replacing the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter and fulfilling some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. The C-17 played a key logistical role during both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, as well as providing humanitarian aid in the aftermath of various natural disasters. The aircraft has a maximum carrying capacity of 170,900 pounds or 85.45 tons. The aircraft can carry a total of 134 troops and or one M1 Abrams tank.
This aircraft, 0002 is assigned to the USAF’s 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve at Charleston AFB, South Carolina. Side note about this aircraft. In 2009 this aircraft was involved in a gear-up landing at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The USAF Aircraft Accident Investigation Board concluded the cause was the crew’s failure to follow the pre-landing checklist.
Thunder Over Columbus Air Show
Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi.
September 21, 2024
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