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Canadian C-17 plane touches down at Leeds Bradford Airport

The landing marks the start of a military exercise involving international air forces.

A huge cargo plane has touched down at Leeds Bradford Airport, marking the start of a week-long military exercise.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which arrived on Friday night, is one of the largest planes ever to have landed at the site.

The Canadian crew will attend a service in Sutton-on-the-Forest, North Yorkshire, remembering airmen who died during World War Two.

RAF and US Air Force aircraft will also take part in the training week.

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Onlookers stood around the perimeter of the airfield to see the plane land, with airport staff given a tour of the aircraft after it parked.

The Royal Canadian Air Force personnel will also visit RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where the RAF's C-17 squadron is based.

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C-17 Globemaster

  • The RAF has flown C-17s since 2001, with No 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton providing the crews
  • The UK's biggest transport aircraft, also used by the US, Australian and Canadian air forces, and the Qataris
  • Used for transporting troops and equipment, they can fit helicopters and armoured vehicles, carrying up to 77,000kg
  • They can take off and land on short airfields, meaning they can be used in remoter places or on very basic runways
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