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An unusual military aircraft has been flying between California and Arizona
SF Gate ^ | August 07, 2025 | Ariana Bindman

Posted on 08/08/2025 7:47:09 AM PDT by Red Badger

The Airbus A400M Atlas isn't your typical passenger plane

An unusual-looking military aircraft has been flying over California this past month, baffling spectators who say they witnessed it from the ground in the Bay Area.

According to Flightradar24 records, the aircraft, an Airbus A400M Atlas, is part of the United Kingdom’s air force and has been flying out of Oceanside, Blythe and Yuma airports for the past several days. Two weeks ago, several people said they saw an A400 flying low by Morro Bay, while another said it passed over Cupertino.

This strategic military aircraft isn’t your typical passenger plane, either.

Often transporting heavy-duty equipment like armored vehicles, helicopters and humanitarian aid, the four-engine airlifter is uniquely capable of carrying outsize heavy loads over long distances, as well as descending on unpaved landing strips that are inaccessible to traditional jet-engine airlifters. It’s also equipped to survive conflict zones: Its bullet-resistant windscreens and armored cockpit, as well as its defensive flares, make it a challenging target.

However, the UK aircraft is likely circling America’s skies for far more mundane reasons.

In 2023, the Paso Robles Press reported the British military had been using Fort Hunter Liggett, a military base just outside the town, for parachute training. At the time, a British air force squadron leader told the outlet that the area provided the perfect terrain for challenging troopers.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Outdoors; Travel; UFO's
KEYWORDS: aviation; forthunterliggett
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To: whitney69

I also remember seeing a couple of C-123, a smaller version of the C-130 built by Fairchild. They were used in Viet Nam for defoliation and other missions. They were phased out in the 1990’s. The Coast Guard seemed to get a lot of use from them, but they didn’t really catch on too much in the Air Force except in Reserve/NG units.


21 posted on 08/08/2025 9:04:09 AM PDT by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
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To: Red Badger

I saw that plane execute a touch-and-go at San Luis Obispo Airport. I wondered what it was.


22 posted on 08/08/2025 9:06:59 AM PDT by Publius
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To: Jane Long

Knowing people don’t need to be told it’s sarcasm!😀


23 posted on 08/08/2025 9:07:32 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Publius

Awesome!................


24 posted on 08/08/2025 9:10:39 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: redfreedom

“This certainly does not inspire any conspiracy theories”

I don’t know about that. Did you read post #5?


25 posted on 08/08/2025 9:13:50 AM PDT by Cold Heart (BP S GW)
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To: Red Badger

“The British are coming! One if by land, two if by sea...uh...three if by both land and sea, four if they’re airlifting in, five if...this isn’t working.”


26 posted on 08/08/2025 9:15:19 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: GaltAdonis
California and Arizona are about to be invaded by Britain! The bastards! /s

We see them often in Yuma when the RAF participates in a WTI exercise with the Marines here. Nothing unusual. We see the RAF fliers in Walmart looking at American stuff to take home.

27 posted on 08/08/2025 9:16:38 AM PDT by pfflier
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To: Red Badger

C-130 in production for 70+ years. A400M since ‘07. About what you would expect from the Europeans.


28 posted on 08/08/2025 9:28:23 AM PDT by RedElement
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To: Red Badger

Way above my pay grade!


29 posted on 08/08/2025 10:11:17 AM PDT by airborne (Thank you Rush for helping me find FreeRepublic! )
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To: fruser1
#5: "Picking up avocados."

Bingo!

30 posted on 08/08/2025 10:12:19 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: fidelis

About 1969-1971 the C-123 was the only aircraft we jumped from for Special Forces training and currency jumps.
The C-123J, cruising with its JATO units running, was incredibly loud with the jump doors open.
SF C-Teams were too small to justify using the C-130,which the 82nd used for the same missions.


31 posted on 08/08/2025 10:16:28 AM PDT by daifu (Texas MD)
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To: Red Badger

Saw one at Kirtland AFB some years ago with UK markings.


32 posted on 08/08/2025 10:30:40 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Red Badger

As long as no UK ships are sneaking up the Potomac, no problem...

Wait!
Maybe we let the UK ships up the Potomac as long as they do a thorough job this time...


33 posted on 08/08/2025 10:32:44 AM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is rabble-rising Sam Adams now that we need him? Is his name Trump, now?)
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To: fidelis

Operation Ranch Hand C-123s would fuel sometimes at our ARMY airfield in the Delta.

A few of those C-123s were returned to the U.S and there were reports of civilian aircrews being exposed to Agent Orange dioxins still within those same aircraft.


34 posted on 08/08/2025 10:40:12 AM PDT by KeyLargo (I)
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To: redfreedom

I’ve sold overhead handling equipment to Lockheed and that IS a British knockoff of the C13O!


35 posted on 08/08/2025 10:42:33 AM PDT by Dick Bachert
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To: Red Badger

I have seen and heard it flying over Bakersfield and several f36 all they do is touch and go’s at the airport..


36 posted on 08/08/2025 10:50:40 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: Red Badger

A KC130 herc just flew over my house on its way to a touch n go at the bakerfield airport.. happens a lot


37 posted on 08/08/2025 11:05:24 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: fidelis

I, also, remember the C-123’s in Vietnam. But I guess because they were the primary aircraft used in ‘Nam for dropping orange, I don’t always think of them for cargo use as much. My brain freeze. Ya got me.

wy69


38 posted on 08/08/2025 12:01:54 PM PDT by whitney69
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To: daifu

SOCOM jumps once a month over the MacDill runway with full combat loads from a C-5. It looks like an aircraft carrier circling overhead.


39 posted on 08/08/2025 6:02:48 PM PDT by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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