Welcome back to Daily Aviation, where we’re featuring one of the busiest and most versatile military airlift aircraft in the world, surpassing an impressive 4 million total flight hours in 2021. Image Credit: US Air Force, The Daily Aviation.
Having served as a loadmaster for two decades, I’ve had the extraordinary privilege of operating these remarkable aircraft. This role has taken me to breathtaking destinations around the globe, as well as some less-than-desirable places that you might not even wish upon your worst enemy (although, truth be told, you probably would). The diversity of cargo we’ve transported over the years might truly astonish most people.
One aircraft that never fails to captivate me is the C-17 Cargo plane. It boasts a sleek, powerful design and can cover vast distances without the need for frequent refueling. In addition to the C-17, the F-15 Strike Eagle continues to reign supreme as the ultimate champion in the realm of air dominance.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to fly on several different military transport planes, including the C-130, C-141, and C-5. However, the C-17 stands out as the most capable and comfortable of them all. On my return journey from my most recent deployment, I had the fortune of landing at Bagram Air Base. During this layover, I struck up a conversation with a fellow C-17 flight crew member who informed me of a flight heading to Ramstein Air Base, a destination I needed to reach. Remarkably, within two hours, I was aboard the C-17, which had been swiftly configured as a medevac transport. I found myself resting comfortably on a stretcher for the majority of the journey, and I must say it was, without a doubt, the most comfortable experience I’ve had.
