Yesterday, shocked Charlotte residents witnessed a colossal military plane in the skies. Here, the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III was in the city for one particular reason and it may not be for reasons that you may first expect. Naturally, seeing such a huge plane got heads talking. Its presence created a source of intrigue which isn’t surprising as it’s not exactly a normal plane to see flying around the city.

It turns out that this was in town as part of the flyover for the Carolina Panthers game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost however this plane still delighted fans as it honored those associated with the military. The photo below was originally posted on Reddit where users discussed the plane and its reason for being in the city.

The C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft that was developed by McDonnell Douglas in the 1980s to replace the aging C-141 Starlifter. This impressive aircraft entered service with the US Air Force in 1993 and has since become known for its versatility. The C-17 is primarily used for transporting troops and cargo, but it can also be used for medical evacuations and airdrops.

The C-17 is a costly aircraft, with a unit cost of around $200 million, but it is highly capable and has played a crucial role in numerous military and humanitarian missions.