THEY are technically too big to land at Moree Regional Airport, with local residents treated to an aerial spectacular Wednesday afternoon when one of the Australian Defence Force’s behemoths, a C-17 Globemaster III, underwent touch-and-go operations.

The Globemaster also performed ‘missed approaches’, where the pilot safely aborts a landing attempt and increases altitude to circle back for another try.

Missed approaches are crucial for instrument flying when visual cues or stable conditions aren’t met, ensuring safety when weather, runway obstructions or unstable approaches occur.

Moree Regional Airport senior aerodrome reporting officer Kingsley Counsell said the C-17A Globemaster III is one of the Australian Defence Force’s biggest long-range transport aircraft, and forms the backbone of its heavy airlift capability.

“This aircraft enables the ADF to move personnel, humanitarian aid, military vehicles, helicopters, and large equipment quickly and efficiently, both domestically and internationally,” Mr Counsell said.

The C-17 Globemaster III undergoing touch-and-go training at Moree Regional Airport on Wednesday (Image courtesy of Kingsley Counsell).

The C-17 fleet was introduced progressively, with the first aircraft entering service between 2006 and 2008.

Further aircraft were added in subsequent years, bringing the fleet to eight aircraft in total. All are based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by No. 36 Squadron.

The C-17A is a large, four-engine, high-wing transport aircraft designed for flexibility. Its rear cargo ramp allows it to load and unload oversized equipment, conduct in-flight cargo airdrops, and operate from relatively short or unsealed runways.

It is also configured to support aeromedical evacuation missions when required.

The C-17 Globemaster III over Moree Regional Airport late Wednesday (Image courtesy of Kingsley Counsell).

“These aircraft have played a critical role in supporting overseas deployments, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,” Mr Counsell said.

“They respond to emergencies across Australia and the broader region as well as carry large numbers of passengers, paratroopers or medical patients, depending on mission requirements.”

With a payload capacity of more than 70 tonnes, the aircraft can also carry a wide range of cargo, including main battle tanks, multiple protected vehicles or helicopters

At any one time, C-17 Globemaster III can carry 134 passengers, 102 paratroopers, six high dependency medical patients or 36 stretcher patients, one CH-47F Chinook helicopter, 18 463L military pallets and more than 70 tonnes of cargo.

“Technically, they can land at Moree. I have had discussions with two pilots now and they are conducting this training with the view to finally make a full stop landing and park on the apron,” Mr Counsell said.

“The Australian Defence Force and Royal Australian Airforce regular use our runways for touch-and-go operations and missed approaches like this.”