WATCH: C-5M Super Galaxies Quick-Turn at Prestwick

These Two Giants Get In, Disgorge, and Get Out Fast – Takeoffs You Have to See to Believe

On 11 July 2018, a pair of Lockheed-Martin C-5M Super Galaxy airlifters descended upon Glasgow Prestwick (EGPK) airport. The two behemoths were supporting a Presidential visit to Scotland, and as such were carrying staff, support personnel, and vehicles for the visit. The aircraft both landed on runway 31.

The first C-5M to land is USAF serial 85-0008 from the 436^th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) at Dover Air Force Base (AFB) in Delaware. “Balls 8” later departs bound for RAF Lakenheath. The second C-5M seen is USAF serial 86-0024 from the 60^th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) at Travis AFB in California. “Balls 24” later departs bound for Ramstein Air Base.

Enjoy this impressive performance by a pair of larger-than-life haulers as uploaded to YouTube by Mraviationguy. Dig those vapes!

C-5Ms Today

The US Air Force bases its current fleet of 52 C-5Ms spread out among a total of nine installations. The two active-duty Air Force Airlift Wings are based at Travis AFB (60^th AMW) and Dover AFB (436^th MAW). Air Force Reserve (AFRES) C-5M operators are based at Travis AFB (349^th AMW), Dover AFB (512^th MAW, Kelly/Lackland AFB in Texas (433^rd MAW), and Westover AFB in Massachusetts (439^th MAW).

The Air National Guard (ANG) previously operated Galaxies from Stewart ANGB in New York (105^th MAW), Memphis in Tennessee (164^th MAW), and Martinsburg in West Virginia (167^th MAW).

Dover AFB-based C-5M Super Galaxy. image via USAF/DVIDS

A Little C-5 History

The C-5M weighs some 190 tons when empty. When fully loaded (maximum takeoff weight) the package can weigh as much as 460 tons. The original “legacy” C-5A Galaxy strategic airlifter went into service in 1970, replacing the Douglas C-133 Cargomaster in the heavyweight airlifter category.

Lockheed built a total of 131 C-5 airframes between the 81 original C-5As built between 1968 and 1973 and the 50 improved C-5Bs built between 1985 and 1989. The 52 C-5Ms in service today were upgraded from the 50 C-5B variants as well as the two previous specially modified C-5A(SCM- Space Cargo Modified) jets that were capable of transporting outsize cargo- primarily for Defense Department space programs and NASA.