While we were in San Diego recently, we stopped at Shelter Island on the far west side of San Diego Bay to enjoy the scenery.
While relaxing there, we got to see a USAF C-17 Globemaster III take off from North Coronado Naval Air Station.
That is one impressive airplane. They replaced the C-141 Starlifters.
Some fun details from Wikipedia about the Boeing C-17 Globemaser III follow.
Maximum payload is 170,900 pounds. Max takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds.
Alternative load is 102 paratroopers loaded with their jump equipment.
Range is 2,400 nm for the first 71 planes and 2,800 on later production runs.
It can take off in 3,500 feet and could operate on unimproved fields if the increased risk of damage warranted doing so.
USAF has 223 of the massive planes in its inventory. Our allies have quite a few more.
