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Huge US military aircraft spotted circling over Wymondham
A United States Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy seen in the sky above Wymondham. Picture: Courtesy of Paul Rooker - Credit: Archant
One of the world's largest aircraft has been spotted circling over south Norfolk.
A United States Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy seen in the sky above Wymondham. Picture: Courtesy of Paul Rooker - Credit: Archant
The United States Air Force C-5 Galaxy was seen doing circles over Wymondham and surrounds on Tuesday between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
Paul Rooker, who lives in the Silfield area, said he was amazed when he saw the airborne behemoth, which is capable of carrying up to 15 humvee light trucks in its belly.
Mr Rooker said it was common to spot fighter jets from the nearby US air bases at Lakenheath and Mildenhall, but the huge cargo plane was a much rarer sight.
He said: 'We see F-15 Strike Eagles fly over all the time, and I heard a few fly over yesterday while I was sat in the kitchen.
The C-5 Galaxy over Norfolk. Picture: Martin Appleyard - Credit: Archant
'When I opened the back door I couldn't actually see them, but when I looked up the C-15 suddenly appeared just gliding around at 7,000ft.
'We never get any domestic jets fly over Wymondham, so to see a plane that big is pretty special.'
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Mr Rooker said the plane did six loops between Costessey and Old Buckenham.
Lieutenant Elias Small, 48th Fighter Wing public affairs officer at RAF Lakenheath, said the Galaxy had flown in from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the US Air Force headquarters in Europe.
Lt Small said the plane was delivering cargo to Lakenheath.
He said: 'As one of US Air Forces in Europe's six main operating bases, RAF Lakenheath serves as a strategic location for transient aircraft travelling around the globe.
'The C-5 Galaxy seen in the area Tuesday, March 28 delivered cargo to RAF Lakenheath and flew here from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.'
The C-5 has a wingspan of 68m and a length of more than 75m.
