C-17 Globemaster III 445th Airlift Wing At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base In Dayton

November 29, 2021

After a year of working with the great people at the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, I was able to get on base to photograph the C-17 Globemaster III. I had been emailing them in hopes of photographing all of the C-17 operations. Ideally I wanted to photograph the maintenance hangars and inside an aicraft.

Instead, the PR person and I worked around their “locals” schedule to ensure I would get to photograph one takeoff from the west side of the runway. The hangars are located to the west of the runway. I would be stationed between the hangars and the runway.

On this day, several C-17 aircraft were parked on the tarmac. Just before the top of the hour, one of the C-17s taxied to the south end of the runway. The aircraft was so close to me that I had trouble getting it all in my lens. It was a good problem to have.

After taxing to the south end of the runway, this giant transport plane lifted off directly in front of me. This was an awesome experience! It is one thing to see it with 30000 people at the Dayton Air Show, but it was incredible being there with only the PR person. That part of WPAFB is so quite until the planes start taking off.

I was hoping to be able to access the interior of the planes, but that was not allowed. But what I did see was a gigantic cargo plane taking off just for me. Well, they were practicing, but I was the only one watching. Aviation photography has always fascinated me, and I love creating it in my hometown. As a Dayton-area resident, not a week goes by without seeing a C-17 practicing around our city.

More About The C-17 Globemaster III 445th Airlift Wing

The C-17, a versatile and powerful aircraft, continues to be a critical aspect of modern military operations. Developed by Boeing, this massive transport plane boasts incredible capabilities that allow it to complete a wide range of missions. One of the most remarkable characteristics of the C-17 is its exceptional capacity to carry heavy payloads across vast distances. This aircraft has the ability to transport troops, equipment, and supplies to remote locations with ease. Whether it’s delivering humanitarian aid to disaster-stricken areas or moving military assets for tactical purposes, the C-17 offers unparalleled logistical support.

The versatility of the C-17 operates on unimproved runways, allowing it to access austere environments. Whether it’s landing on dirt landing strips, ice runways in Antarctica, or short, unpaved airfields, this aircraft’s rugged design ensures that it can reach virtually any location, even in the harshest and most challenging terrains.