C-17 Globemaster III - Combat/Tactical Landing into March ARB

I am very pleased to share this project demonstrating the precise work and skill behind a tactical landing in a C-17 Globemaster. This type of maneuver is practiced regularly for landing in combat situations when needed. The landing takes us from Palm Springs, CA into March Air Reserve Base. A very special THANK YOU goes to the following people of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing: Jon Millmann, JB Guillotte, Tyler Hamill, Ryan Benson, Paul Bugar, Osmin Suguitan, and Linda Welz
Aircraft data is as follows:
US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Nr. 05-5144 - 452nd AMW (Call Sign: SLAM 19 Heavy)
My production partner Ryan Bomar also documented this landing as well as the Veterans Day low pass flyovers leading up to this landing. You can see his video here: • Veterans Day: Multiple...

[@captjohn1124]

I was part of a flight test group on the C-17. Short takeoff and landing were impressive, but tactical decents are like nothing else you have ever experienced!!!!

[@LoveJT8D]

That’s awesome to be part of a C-17 flight test group! I bet lots of different maneuvers you could speak to, that most would think impossible for a plane that size.

[@captjohn1124]

@@LoveJT8D I was sitting about mid way back, under the wing root, with a cable running up to the fuel gauging computer, watching and recording fuel movement in the wings on a laptop, with another one right next to me on the seat. When we did the tactical decent the flight crew asked that everyone strap in as we all called out that we were (we went over this in preflight). We pulled negative G's, fuel moved in the wings, and the laptop on the seat next to me, I looked over at it and it was floating in the air (probably light enough to go weightless). After my part of the testing was done I went up in the cockpit and sat in one of the sliding seats behind the pilots during some short takeoffs and landings. It was VERY impressive!!!

[@LK-pc4sq]

@@captjohn1124 is this to simulate a enemy SAM in the region so, to avoid getting hit, they do a sharp angle of attack near the Base final ?

[@captjohn1124]

@@LK-pc4sq it's to minimize the aircrafts exposure to anti aircraft exposure. They basically position the aircraft above the airfield, put on all 4 thrust reverses, and spiral down while staying over the airfield. We started out at 30,000 feet, our ceiling was 10,000 feet for safety reasons. She shook like all hell, but that dam aircraft just did a slow spiral down, completely under control. I used to fly, trust me, I was VERY impressed. During an actual manure they flair out, and retract the reverses above the runaway threshold. At least that's how one of the pilots explained it to me. I've spent a lot of time on aircraft, but I have never seen anything like this before. The aircraft is incredibly stable!!!

[@captjohn1124]

I think they only hit one C-17 operating out of Iraqi during the war. Hit an engine, they flew in another one, changed it out, and I believe they had it back flying in 24 hours. I know of one that was damaged, not sure how, but they pieced it back together and flew it back to Long Beach CA, I understand it was returned to full service. The amount of flight time those aircraft accumulated was amazing!!

[@jonathanspencer4960]

Love the radio call "mental blank" at 5.15. Reassuring to know that it sometimes even happens to absolute pros like these guys.

[@Incognito-vc9wj]

The controller gave him the wrong taxiway, he said Alpha first then correct with Charlie. Pilot probably was confused about Alpha.

[@CZR1951]

I had the Honor to get invited by one of my Air Force friends as a Civilian to fly in a C-17 from March Airfield. We took off and did Mid Air Fueling training, flew to San Francisco and back. Simply Amazing experience.. 🇺🇲

[@mattz1230]

Ah, yes; the C-17. The cargo plane that dreams of being a fighter jet.

[@LoveJT8D]

Perfect description!

[@jonahsgang8830]

Lol still an amazing aircraft

[@binhowlin3173]

*laughs in “Delta”

[@kennethpadgettflightparame3548]

Lol. Love it!

[@Trenaway]

This is done on purpose to practice for a situation in which the plane needs to get on the ground fast! This is done in hostile zones!

[@2HellWUtube]

I would trade my B738 type rating and quit the airline job for this absolutely gorgeous operation. You guys have all the fun you want. Never quit it, airline job is all about being on time and assigning IATA delay codes.

[@bodystomp5302]

Have you ever seen anything in the air you couldn't ID?

[@jonathanbeattie3410]

Love the way the C17 flares with power instead of elevator, awesome machine

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

I live by March ARB and never get tired of watching this aircraft take off or land.

[@LoveJT8D]

That’s awesome. Must be a treat to see these and other military aircraft flying by often.

[@Luvurenemy]

Didn’t see all the bug splat on my phone until I watched this vid. Thx.

[@Ridygetsgriddy]

I’m a civil air patrol cadet, and I was at an encampment and Maj. Guillotte came in and showed us this video. He’s on the right here

[@Blackdogsrunnin]

I always wondered what it looked like in the cockpit landing at March. I lived at the top of the runway in the early 80's and would ride my bike to the top of the runway and sit at the fence by the first approach light and watch them do touch n goes all day. Got to see the SR-71 land there a few times and Pres. Reagan land lots of times. Great times

[@thehumanityoflife6460]

I also have watched the presidential plane there and the F-117 do touch-and-go landings. Did you know that the SR-71 has soft skin? I don't know if you are allowed to be near the display airplanes at the March Air museum nowadays.

[@lilfuzzy5908]

As a SoCal flight instructor, I have flown into March many times. It is a fantastic approach given how massive the runway is. The FBO has amazing GA service as well.

[@jamessatterfield7667]

@@thehumanityoflife6460 , Oh I remember the times when Pres. Reagan would take his leave in Cali and NEACP was sitting on the MAFB flight line. I was a Security Specialist with 22SPS from ‘84-‘89. Given the President’s fondness for taking his leave on multiple times a year, it was a major PIA.

[@RyanBomar]

I just came back to watch this again. Absolutely insane experience, and you did one helluva job here. I can't wait to watch the main video in 2022!

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks! Would definitely be the perfect way to kick off 2022. Let's hope I can bear a little more fruit in 2017 first ;)

[@gingerman5123]

2022 reporting in.

[@fi2ks]

@@gingerman5123 you beat me to it. …and here I am reading this in 2022 wondering were is the main video???

[@francisschweitzer8431]

@@LoveJT8D Sir… I realize that You at Both Captains… Myself a Vet E-5 Crew Chief…. Would have problems with the Right Seat turning around and saying…. OK GUYS…. We’re going Down …. and I’m back here saying “ YOU MEAN THAT YOU ARE STARTING YOUR DECENT…RIGHT??” lol.

[@tioz01]

everyone: fighter pilots have all the fun. C17 pilots: hold my beer

[@tioz01]

and 1 year after I first commented here, I got to experience it as a pax somewhere in centcom. All I can say is wow, God bless loadmasters for securing the cargo the way they did.

[@flickinlures]

I watch a bit of aviation stuff , but this was a pretty cool perspective on an approach , great camera work and editing loved it

[@LoveJT8D]

Really glad you liked the video, and thanks for watching! It was definitely lots of editing hours.

[@WayPastCrazy2525]

I wish I knew what type of camera was used though. Have NO idea but was impressively clear, sharp, and steady. 😃

[@LoveJT8D]

@@WayPastCrazy2525 For most of the window shots, it was a mix of GoPro Hero4, and Hero 3+. The slightly “shakier” handheld shots was through a Nikon D750.

[@WayPastCrazy2525]

@@LoveJT8D GoPro? Never woulda guessed. 😉 Awesome video. One of the best I've seen and captivated me from start to finish.

[@antoniohess4359]

I live right by March ARB it’s a pleasure to see these bad boys everyday taking off and landing right along the freeway definitely a sight to see 👀✈️

[@LoveJT8D]

Nice! Sounds like you’re in a prime plane spotting location.

[@antoniohess4359]

@@LoveJT8D definitely in a good spotting location ✈️

[@kevinm.n.5158]

Love the callsign SLAM

[@JSouthrn85]

hahaha.. "you wanna take the aircraft and you can park it?"... That was nice of him.

[@KutWrite]

I took it that the steering tiller was on the PIC side. Also, due to the handshake, that this was some kind of check ride.

[@MystikalDawn]

Bravo! Having worked around these planes at a local FBO here in St. John's Newfoundland for years when you guys would come in for fuel either on their way to or back from the desert, I always looked at the C-17 as a whale of an aircraft. If you look at it, it doesn't look like it could be very agile at all. But from your video it doesn't look like she has any problem with dancing when you want her too!

[@LoveJT8D]

Absolutely! It's amazing all of the swift moves this aircraft has in the air.

[@PaulSmith-pz9eq]

Made me smile .. What a beast ! Thank you

[@edjarrett3164]

I love the Reserve. I really enjoyed watching two young aviators run a short field landing at March. Great job guys.

[@robertfaust5683]

Load's face when you go nose down says everything that needs to be said of combat landings..

[@kevinpalena1871]

I watch these videos and forget how young these guys are.... I loved the chatter with ground. "Copy...have fun".."Yes sir"

[@bryanrocker5033]

You guys have such a rough life! Thanks for the video and thanks for supporting and defending this great country of ours!

[@timjordan1154]

Flat out fricking cool! Thanks LoveJT8D for putting this up where those of us earthbound types can slip that surly bond for a bit.

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks for stopping by and watching! Glad to give this hard working crew some recognition.

[@ben-n-stephflyingcircus8281]

I can’t get my Bonanza to stop that short! Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

[@terradonahue7729]

That's just freakin phenomenal! These pilots are spectacular at maneuvering this huge C17. 👏

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks for watching! It’s amazing how agile the C-17 really is. Hats off to the crew for sure!

[@joeluebbers5474]

You guys are great. Thanks for your service and professionalism.

[@kandaman304]

Watching these guys fly this BEAST is simply Amazing!

[@ralu182]

Wow this is amazing, it amazes me watching these young pilots so professional

[@pipeorganfan26]

Wow What a Steep Descent & How Exciting. Great Video. Looking Forward To More & Thanks For Your Service In The Military.

[@LoveJT8D]

Glad you enjoyed the video. They were an amazing crew!

[@shorts_wx]

Love seeing the extra throttle at the 50 callout to help slow rate of decent and increase the flare.. very cool!!!

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks!

[@superskullmaster]

There is no flare. The landing procedure is similar to a carrier landing. Power controls decent rate and pitch controls speed. Since pitch is locked in they use power to decrease only the decent rate, AKA there is no flare as the pitch doesn’t change.

[@dogbugler]

Wow!, all I can say is amazing. Thank you all gents. I am glad you bad ass pilots are on Team USA. Stay Safe, Bee Well. P.S. cameras spot on thanks. Regards, Doug

[@jeffjensen27]

Awesome Steep Circle ⭕️ Downwards And Ya Greased The Landing 🤩🥰😎👍Bravo! Great Clear Video & Very Steady. Looking forward to seeing More Videos From You.

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks for watching! The crew did an amazing job on the landing. Much of the video was mounted GoPros with a little hand-held sprinkled in.

[@obiwankenobi8163]

My grandfather was the lead engineer in designing the C-17 globemaster cockpit.

[@MNPDC]

Just kids flying that plane.... amazing.

[@magmag6245]

Very cool video. I moved to an area northeast of Mcchord AFB and these beasts go zooming over my house all the time.

[@LoveJT8D]

That’s awesome! You’re in an aircraft spotters dream location.

[@JohnnyLandscape]

Gorgeous beast.A Globemaster flew over my hometown,Simi Valley,on July 4th a few yrs.ago.I was in total awe.

[@Christian-rd5bf]

We had a similar landing in a C-130 in Afghanistan, when the USAF flew us every week von Feyzabad to Kabul and back.. it was pretty awesome, fantastic and a great experience 🤣🤣 The pilots have definitely balls of steel ♥️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Greats from German soldier and thx for each safe landing ♥️ 🇺🇸🇩🇪

[@joseruelas522]

Amazing, growing up in Moval one of my earliest memories was watching the C17s take off from March and just being mesmerized and thats where my love for aviation began. Even now in my senior year driving to school, the mornings where they take off I cant help but take a quick glance at them! 😂 Hopefully one day after college I can fly those beauties but for now, Ill have to contact March approach in my little cessna when I fly by, all I know is the work for my PPL was worth it and watching this video, I know getting my commercial and instrument will be well worth it! Amazing video, thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@maksmars]

Moments like that remind me how proud I am to be an American.

[@greenbeen_079]

I love those roller rides guys. Most fun

[@TacticalAnthony]

c-17 woke up one day and said "ima be a fighter" and off he went doing hard turns

[@SkyChaserCom]

I actually looked down on these planes flying into March ARB while skydiving at nearby Perris. Awesome work by some of America's best!

[@LoveJT8D]

That's awesome! Must have been an amazing view.

[@50buttfish]

I know that view, Lake Perris and then freefall; but there were SOME pilots who failed to stay out of OUR AIR SPACE; I was in freefall, and a C-141 flew dead over the DZ (I was about 3K above the plane).

[@murda2999]

These guys look so young! What an amazing video after all that we have seen of these planes landing and leaving Kabul lately.

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks for watching! You can definitely see/hear the passion all that they do, from the very start of the mission to the end.

[@HerfingPug]

Holly Mother of God! That was most impressive.

[@philhand5830]

My recovery team recovered the first 3 C- 17s in the Air Force inventory. Sweet aircraft. I've flown on them space A twice round trip, Charleston - Travis. A perfect replacement for the C - 141. Almighty powerful machine!!!

[@seaghanjohn]

Great camera work! Thanks for putting us in the cockpit to see this awesome landing!

[@LoveJT8D]

Sean Gallagher Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the landing. It was quite a thrill, and necessary for training.

[@regbaird9499]

Graham towns on

[@IceNein763]

I rode in a tactical night landing at Camp Taji in Iraq. It was the first time the airfield had been used in quite a while. Mostly blackhawk traffic to and from Baghdad international, but they were bringing roughly 200 of us in for detainee ops. It was a pretty neat experience.

[@Freq412]

You guys are bad ass. If I had seen this (as a recruitment tool) back when I was deciding what to do, I'd be right there with you, it's just so cool.

[@gerrycarmichael1391]

Notice the checklist discipline and standard call outs. Bravo! Also notice that they flub the read back on the taxi instructions as they clear the runway. Glad to see I'm not the only one!

[@sectech221]

I remember in 2006 our C-130 Hercules Pilots put us into a ripper of a nose dive and before we all became splattered onto the runway in Mosul, Iraq they leveled and got us on the runway safe and sound. That was a pants filling experience. Lol. Great job fella’s!!

[@LoveJT8D]

Wow haha. Not a maneuver you always get in a large turboprop, cargo aircraft. Awesome!

[@sectech221]

LoveJT8D It was interesting. Lol. I do know as we were preparing to land rockets and small arms fire began coming in. I would assume that’s what put us into that predicament. I commend our pilots, they did a great job at getting us on the ground unharmed which allowed us to get to work.

[@TheAirplanewoman]

Omg I love your KZbin name. I love me some jt8d engines. One of the best made imo. Nice video. Thanks.

[@LoveJT8D]

Nice to have another JT8D in the house 😁. I remember those days where you could actually hear the plane pulling up to the gate and the tarmacs were just a symphony of JT8D whining.

[@brunokee]

Tactical Approach and Landing is Awesome

[@mcdonnell220]

Beautiful work as always Philip, thanks!

[@LoveJT8D]

Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

Great video ! Really enjoyed watching it , thanks for uploading

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks very much! It was definitely a lot of work but glad to see so many enjoying the footage.

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

@@LoveJT8D rare insight into the 'pointy end'

[@robbalboni4179]

real nice video of this great military aircraft and all the maneuvers it performs! precision flying by these young soldiers. rob

[@LoveJT8D]

rob balboni Thanks Rob! Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@Crawdad_Nick]

Glad I'm not the only one who screws up my read back. I'm in private pilot training and still getting used to radio calls...nice video!

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks Kelly! No matter how experienced, all pilots are human. I'm glad people have a chance to see that side of the military as well. Good luck on your training.

[@KutWrite]

I thought the controller omitted the "C" taxiway designation.

[@markmathews547]

Damn impressive. I am so proud of the men and women serving this country.

[@The_Unintelligent_Speculator]

Just love the engine intake contour. What an aircraft

[@harkerbarker7608]

I go to the college right next to the base and I often see these things take off. Kinda cool to see the cockpit view.

[@bimma320]

Love the laughs at the ground read back. We get the same in the rail industry.

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

Glad this popped into my feed, saw a C-130 do a combat landing just before this one. Use to watch the C-17's and KC-10's play out of Maguire AFB back in 2013 when I was there for a few months on MEDHOLD

[@desert4wd]

That was fun, I liked it all. SacComNav135s, then C130s.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I fly a Cessna 172 built in 1977. When me and my pilot buddies are taking over beers, we always get to the question of if you could only pilot one plane for the rest of your career, what would it be? Of course the most common answer is the F22 Raptor, the P51 Mustang or some other high performance jet. My answer is this, the C17. It’s got everything. Size, power, performance, range, capacity, everything.

[@LoveJT8D]

Excellent choice! And if you’re a passenger airliner but such as myself, the C17 also fills that niche too! Like you said, it’s got everything.

[@cjshardcorepunkmusicvault8474]

Thank you for have the ATC comms included.

[@BeckerAviation]

Wow, simply wow. Phenomenal. Liked! Cheers from Chile

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@KutWrite]

Good camera placement. I enjoyed watching this, esp. since I used to work at March and still see the C-17s go in & out every day. Never saw one of these tight landings, though.

[@LoveJT8D]

KutWrite Thanks! I wasn't using the GoPro app so had to kind of eyeball it. That's awesome you worked at March. Watching those C17s in action never gets old.

[@crcruz]

Lived there in the early 90’s…great place!

[@robbieboyd5869]

I don't think people realize just how big the C-17 and C-5... I'll admit I was 1 of those people until we were doing a DET in El Centro, CA and on the flight line was a C-5 with an 18 wheeler beside it fueling it up. And Jesus Christ people I was amazed. That truck looked like it was smaller than the C-5 's landing gear. No joke either and flabbergasted!!!

[@thehumanityoflife6460]

At 03: 00, on the left side is the March Air Museum. I have watched air shows at this base with my two sons when they were little in the early 1990s. And now my younger son is a pilot in the U.S. Army! He has flown UH-60, jet trainer, and now flies the Canadian Dash-7 in South Korea.

[@flashh112362]

the classic 2009 gopro sticker love to see it

[@ni_wink84]

I see these guys daily, doesn’t even seem like They are moving in the air they are so big!

[@TheRealKalEll]

Nicely done Gentlemen & thankQ for your service.

[@djb3271]

Never gets old watching the real pros! Dang.

[@Ripper13F1V]

i remember when March was nothing but C-130's and F-4's. My Principal in Jr. High was a LtCol for one of the F-4 squadrons and would take me a and a few friends there on the weekend to crawl around in the maintenance bays. I was a very lucky boy

[@bombud1]

that thing has an incredible roll rate

[@jvbenjamin]

Professional !! :) Greetings from India.

[@LoveJT8D]

Greetings as well, and thanks for watching!

[@lic2kil007]

Great vid.. prior 452AES here 90-97.

[@Sisko03]

Man, flying in to Afghanistan all those years ago... Didn't know a plane that big could fly like that.

[@LoveJT8D]

Same here! The C-17 is very agile for it’s size.

[@Mets747]

INCREDIBLE WORK!

[@LoveJT8D]

Thanks Jay!

[@tobinyackel1353]

It's even more fun at night using night vision lens and no runway lights.

[@senior_ranger]

Good to see them refer to it, properly, as "the aircraft."

[@Gkhub.777]

Beautiful video , it was like i was flying it ❤️

[@1991ROLEX]

Awesome, but man! has the place become built up since I was flying little bug-smashers in the aero club out of March. Well done guys!

[@LoveJT8D]

Sandra Dent Definitely lots of development going on in the area. The crazy thing is, Moreno Valley still feels extremely spacious compared to the San Fernando Valley.

[@ZOIMIBiIE]

Hits me in the feels on multiple levels. Spent a lot of time load planning and loading c17s. Quite a few at March when I was stationed on Pendleton. Left from March and came home there in 2012. Combat landings going into Afghanistan and Manas were crazy to be a rider for too. Those rickity 463L seats 😅 Good shit man.

[@ZOIMIBiIE]

No one ever believes me either when I tell them we can stick a CH53 in the back of a C17 Fit more in the C5 but that things always broken or busted and never wants to fly 😂

[@dogmandan79]

Just telling my kids about combat landing into afghan. Great video.

[@stingingmetal9648]

Amazing. Banking turns were intense.

[@buzzbrayable]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

[@alwaysdead89]

Such a cool plane

[@iggi70]

I like it, been in one, did the same landing in Iraq. What a ride. OIF/OEF 06/07. I live in Menifee and our house is in-line with their approach.

[@CaptianInternet]

It is weird. When a Fighter Jet does those incredible maneuvers I feel excited but it is okay. But what THESE pilots do with tons and tons for mass behind them is INSANE. I really would love to be as a passenger in an F16 until I pass out. But I never ever ever ever want a Globemaster Pilot telling me we will do a tactical landing. I would shit my pants. Still, it is an awesome maneuver. Unbelievable what these machines can do.

[@mohammadbigdeli8786]

beautiful really beautiful great team

[@davidbarrett1487]

I do like the C17 a superb aircraft.👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@Firebrand55]

...a long way from the Wright brothers........but todays pilots showing the some dedication and professional acumen.....only the hardware has changed.

[@Howrider65]

Can i ride along i'm a taxpayer lol..

[@neilharper6317]

Nice and tight descent. Cool!

[@michigannative2951]

Cool video thanks for sharing it.

[@LemonChieff]

That was impressive. Scary, too.

[@philly2x]

I want to fly one of these so bad!

[@thebotman_1037]

Ok so me and my dad were doing yard work and one of these C-17s Flew right over it was amazing.

[@ElPePe10300]

That was sick landing

[@lamluuphu5174]

Wow!!!! Impressive landing!