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Mystery Surrounds Very Large Military Cargo Transport Plane Spotted at San Angelo's Mathis Field

By Joe Hyde, Apr 7, 2020
 

SAN ANGELO, TX — A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy cargo plane was seen on the tarmac at San Angelo Regional Airport this morning with its tail towering above many of the hangars there. The C-5 is the largest aircraft in the USAF inventory and at 237 feet long it is 12 feet longer than an Airbus A380 superjumbo jet, according to Popular Mechanics.

According to FAA records, the C-5 landed at Mathis Field last night at 10:45 p.m. and the flight originated in Balboa, Panama.

C-5s landing at Mathis Field are unusual in eras of normalcy, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, a C-5 sighting at a small regional airport in west central Texas draws suspicion.

“Are they transporting virus-stricken people to San Angelo?” was the question we were asked. “I heard they were looking for a bunch of rental cars to transport 70 people,” was another rumor offered.

None of this is true. We called Bruce Burkett, head of security at the airport, and he offered the scoop.

The C-5 was transporting a drone for the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations. The CBP operates the MQ-9 Predator B UAS from Mathis Field for counter-narcotics operations (more on that mission here). The C-5 was returning one of the drones from a temporary operations area, Burkett said.

The C-5M seen on the ramp at Mathis this morning can carry a cargo load of 281,001 pounds and has a range of 5,524 statute miles without aerial refueling. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 840,000 pounds. For comparison’s sake, a B-52H has a maximum takeoff weight of 488,000 pounds. The C-5’s cargo today, the MQ-9 UAS, weighs 4,901 pounds empty.

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This plane Scared the piss out of me when it flew over my house at 10:45. I literally thought it was flying too low and thought it might be going down. When I ran out I noticed that it was flying way lower then most airline planes and noticed that it was a lot bigger then most of the airline planes. Was actually considering on calling the airport to see if it made it, that’s how low it was. Glad to see this story on what the plane was.

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“Are they transporting virus-stricken people to San Angelo?” was the question we were asked. “I heard they were looking for a bunch of rental cars to transport 70 people,” was another rumor offered. Why in the world would you print this garbage?! Why would anyone transport sick people here?! Please stop putting nonsense in print. You are part of the problem.

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Deployed on a C-5 once. With full cargo bay and 44 pax, it's rotation speed for take-off was only 95 knots thanks to the massive wings and engines. Smooth ride!

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I was writing to a friend about this inbound aircraft event and as I did, the words waxed poetic.

Rhyme began to spew from my fingertips. So, here for your pleasure is my VERY AMATEUR poetry....

I stepped out, and,
What to may gazing eyes did appear,
A C-5 coming in,
Having lowered it's landing gear.

Mr. Gore's internet
Erupted with chatter,
What in the Coronapocalypse
could bring such great matter?

Some declared National Guard,
Landing in our backyard.
To enforce a quarantine,
Which was proclaimed by the Bard.

Other voices echoed,
An Embassy evacuated.
Seventy rental cars commandeered,
Yet no truth here be actuated.

Our online rag nailed the scoop,
The real truth they had found.
From Balboa, Panama,
This flight was inbound.

This landing behemoth,
T'was not Coronavirus.
Instead she delivered
Something sweet to protect us.

Onboard were no soldiers,
No diplomats, no bother,
Just a BIG flying tube with some cargo,
To monitor our southern border.

A fresh drone to patrol,
Our nation's edge to the south.
Oh, those rumors are vicious,
Yes, untruths from the mouth!

The end.

RUMORS and PROPAGANDA SQUELCHED ! ! !

(APPLAUSE)

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