Watching This Air Force C-17 Fly Into A Sunset Over Barnegat Bay Ended The Weekend Perfectly

We enjoy keeping up with the goings-on at the Joint Base from time to time, from its recent introduction of the KC-46 tanker to its major role in the Afghanistan evacuation operation last summer.

It was during the chaotic events in Afghanistan that many Americans first became introduced with the C-17, unfortunately thanks to a tragic viral video that showed Afghans trying to escape the country grabbing onto the plane’s fuselage as it took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport. But the C-17’s performance during the Afghanistan pullout – known officially as a non-combatant evacuation operation, or NEO – put the Boeing-produced heavy transport in the spotlight for its extreme versatility, reliability and its capability of transporting hundreds of thousands of passengers in mere days given the correct configuration.

Using ADS-B tracking software, we were able to identify a particular aircraft we spotted making a stunning pass over the Jersey Shore Sunday night. The plane, serial number 08-8195, flew to the Joint Base from Germany.

A Boeing C-17 Globemaster III streaks over Barnegat Bay on its way to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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Airmen assigned to the 305th Maintenance Group prepare to launch a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Aug. 18, 2021. The 305th AMW is responsible for delivering Rapid Global Mobility to the U.S. and its allies throughout the world. The unit’s C-17 fleet was relocated to support operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Azaria E. Foster)

A Boeing C-17 Globemaster III streaks over Barnegat Bay on its way to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

U.S. Marines load onto a U.S. C-17 Globemaster from McGuire Air Force Base to be transported to Afghanistan on August 18, 2021, from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Brooks)

Fighters and bombers might get more press – and more views on the internet – but the C-17 (about double the size of an Airbus A400M, yet smaller than its USAF stablemate, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy) looked mighty beautiful as she made a smooth descent over the ocean, floated across the barrier island and disappeared into the setting sun on its way a few dozen miles to the west.

We hope you enjoy the video. And thanks to the crew for keeping us safe!