US C-17 Globemaster jets plan more flights over New Zealand for military training

From Ōhakea, yesterday’s flights were due to return to Auckland via the west coast.

Tomorrow and Saturday, one C-17 is expected to fly at high altitude down the west coast of the South Island, through Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau and over Queenstown.

It would then head north over the Southern Alps and turn west at Nelson before returning to Auckland, the spokesperson said.

Both C-17s are scheduled to fly from Auckland to Base Ōhakea on Sunday.

One of the Globemaster jets pictured during take-off at RNZAF Base Whenuapai today. Photo / Caleb PurcellThe military transport jets have excited planespotters across the country this week, including at Base Whenuapai where one was pictured taking off this morning. Photo / Caleb Purcell

The RNZAF said the programme was weather-dependent and could change at short notice, and low-level flying would take place between 9am and 3pm.

On Sunday the C-17s would return to Hawaii carrying two RNZAF NH90 helicopters, which will take part in a US Army exercise, the NZDF spokesperson said.

The hard-to-miss aircraft have already captured the attention from planespotting Kiwis.

“Awesome sight,” a Coromandel fan wrote on social media yesterday.

Military aircraft spotted in the skies above Albany as international training takes place across New Zealand.

“If you could just clip a bit closer to Opito Bay hills tomorrow I’ll be close enough to give the pilots a wave.”

Two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fly alongside an RNZAF C-130J Hercules during training over the North Island yesterday.

Another wrote on Facebook of their shock at the size of the planes they saw flying over Tauranga.

“They gave me a hell of a fright when I was going over the flyover at Bayfair this morning. They were very big!”

What is a C-17 Globemaster?

The C-17 is a four-engine military transport jet designed to carry troops, heavy equipment and supplies over long distances, according to Boeing’s website.

At 53m long with a wingspan of almost 52m, the aircraft can carry nearly 75 tonnes of cargo.

An Australian C-17 Globemaster aircraft taxis into position. Photo / Australian Defence Force

Despite its size, it is designed to operate from short and basic airfields and can be refuelled while airborne.

The aircraft are used for military operations and humanitarian and disaster-relief missions.