Flights to remote Islands Part Five - Djibouti, East Africa to Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.

[BillD22]

Here are some shots of a flight from Djibouti (HDAM) in the Horn of Africa out to Diego Garcia (FJDJ) , an atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia is a joint U.K./U.S. military base. Let's fly along as a USAF C17 "Globemaster III" makes a 5 hour logistics support flight out to the island.

 

Ready for takeoff. The map insert shows our route of flight.

 

View through the HUD.

 

Rotate and climb out over the Horn of Africa's coastal desert terrain.

 

 

 

 

Starting our descent from cruise after the long over-ocean segment.

 

The island comes into view under scattered clouds as we descend and maneuver for our approach to Runway 13.

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by BillD22

[BillD22]

On final for the 11,000-foot runway. The C17 can land in as short a distance as 3500 feet.

 

 

Touchdown, roll out, and turn off the active.

 

 

 

Leaving for the return flight to Djibouti we get a good view of the airfield and the island with its large interior lagoon.

 

 

 

The RW island.

Edited August 30, 2022 by BillD22

[Downwind66]

Very nice Bill! Great pics and storyline!

 

Rick :cool:

[NMLW]

A fine flight to Diego Garcia in the big C-17 Bill. Super set of pics. of it as well. I like your remote island series. :cool: :)

[adamb]

Great flight and shots Bill. :)

[jankees]

another excellent addition to a nice series!