Compelling Images Of The C-5 Galaxy

C-5M super Galaxy lifts off at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2017. Aircrews fly the new M-model around the world supporting Department of Defense missions with improved capabilities such as fuel efficiency, reduced noise and greater payloads. The Travis AFB mission provides Rapid Global Mobility quickly and decisively in response to unexpected challenges.

Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy lifts off at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A C-5 Galaxy is loaded with cargo from the 124th Fighter Wing April 6, 2016 at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. The cargo was being loaded to support the wing’s deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

A C-5 Galaxy is loaded with cargo from the 124th Fighter Wing.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft sits quietly at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany, March 2, 2016.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft sits quietly at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany, March 2, 2016.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

Team Dover aircraft maintenance personnel tow a C-5M Super Galaxy down the flight line Jan. 3, 2014, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The tow team crew pushed the aircraft out of the wash rack hangar after the snow storm passed.

Team Dover aircraft maintenance personnel tow a C-5M Super Galaxy down the flight line, at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

A C-5 Galaxy is photographed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 7, 2015. The C-5 entered operational service in 1970 and has been a vital asset in every military operation since that time including Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. It has also been essential in humanitarian relief efforts, including Hurricane Katrina, tsunami and earthquake relief. With a service life that stretches beyond 2040, the C-5 will remain a central figure in strategic airlift for decades to come. To meet that goal, the C-5 is undergoing a set of modifications that transform it into a C-5M Super Galaxy.

The C-5 entered operational service in 1970 and has been a vital asset in every military operation since that time including Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

A C-5 M Super Galaxy on the ramp at Travis AFB, Calif., July 28, 2015. As the Air Force’s largest and only strategic airlifter, the C-5M Super Galaxy can carry more cargo farther distances than any other aircraft. This C-5M Super Galaxy is an upgraded version with new engines and modernized avionics designed to extend its service life beyond 2040.

A C-5 M Super Galaxy on the ramp at Travis AFB, Calif. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

Airmen assigned to the 921st Contingency Response Squadron assist Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, offload UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from a C-5 Galaxy at the Fort Carson Air Terminal, Colorado, Sept. 11, 2016. The Soldiers returned from a nine month deployment to Afghanistan. The 921st CRS Airmen were in Colorado participating in Exercise Cerberus Strike 16-02.

Airmen assigned to the 921st Contingency Response Squadron assist Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, offload UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from a C-5 Galaxy at the Fort Carson Air Terminal, Colorado.

A C-5 Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., sits on the ramp as the sun sets prior to a sortie at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 28, 2015. The C-5 Galaxy is a heavy airlifter with intercontinental range. It is the largest U.S. military aircraft, capable of carrying more than 270,000 pounds of cargo.

A C-5 Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., sits on the ramp as the sun sets prior to a sortie at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

A C-5 Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., sits on the ramp as the sun sets prior to a sortie at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 28, 2015. The C-5 Galaxy is a heavy airlifter with intercontinental range. It is the largest U.S. military aircraft, capable of carrying more than 270,000 pounds of cargo.

A C-5 Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A C-5M Super Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base arrives at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2016. The C-5 has the ability to carry 36 standard pallets and 81 troops simultaneously; carry oversized cargo over intercontinental ranges and can take off or land in relatively short distances.

A C-5M Super Galaxy from Travis Air Force Base arrives at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Airmen work on a C-5 Galaxy at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on June 6. The C-5 is the Air Force's largest airlift aircraft.

Airmen work on a C-5 Galaxy at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. The C-5 is the Air Force’s largest airlift aircraft.

Maintainers work in the wheel well of a C-5 Galaxy, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., as sits on the ramp at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 28, 2015. The C-5 Galaxy is a heavy airlifter with intercontinental range. It is the largest U.S. military aircraft, capable of carrying more than 270,000 pounds of cargo.

Maintainers work in the wheel well of a C-5 Galaxy. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany, March 2, 2016.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany.

C-5M Super Galaxies sit on the flightline of Travis Air Force Base, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2017. The C-5 has a greater capacity than any other airlifter. It has the ability to carry 36 standard pallets and 81 troops simultaneously.

C-5M Super Galaxies sit on the flightline of Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy carrying cargo from the 90th Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 25. The 90th Fighter Squadron deployed personnel, cargo and several F-22 Raptors to Southeast Asia this month to support United States Air Forces Central Command operations. AFCENT's mission is to deliver decisive air, space, and cyberspace capabilities for United States Central Command in concert with coalition, joint, and interagency partners.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy carrying cargo from the 90th Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A C-5 Galaxy is stationary after dropping off Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMH-772) on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 7, 2013. The C-5 was carrying aircraft and personnel from HMH-772. HMH-772 is participating in the Unit Deployment Program.

A C-5 Galaxy is stationary after dropping off Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 (HMH-772) on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany, March 2, 2016.

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft arrives at the Stuttgart Army Airfield, Germany.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy carrying cargo from the 90th Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 25. The 90th Fighter Squadron deployed personnel, cargo and several F-22 Raptors to Southeast Asia this month to support United States Air Forces Central Command operations. AFCENT's mission is to deliver decisive air, space, and cyberspace capabilities for United States Central Command in concert with coalition, joint, and interagency partners.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy carrying cargo from the 90th Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. These C-5 Galaxy images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy from the 436th Airlift Wing flies over New Jersey while lit by the setting sun. The C-5, one of the largest military aircraft, provides the Air Force with heavy intercontinental strategic airlift capability. The 436th Airlift Wing is located at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy from the 436th Airlift Wing flies over New Jersey while lit by the setting sun.

A CH-47F Chinook helicopter with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade sits in the cargo bay of a C-5M Super Galaxy on Pope Army Airfield flight line Feb. 11, 2017. The Chinook is one of two helicopters transported by the 22nd Airlift Squadron from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

A CH-47F Chinook helicopter with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade sits in the cargo bay of a C-5M Super Galaxy on Pope Army Airfield flight line. You might also like incredible images of the B-52 Stratofortress. See all military aircraft images.