RAF C-17A Globemaster III ZZ175 touch and go practice at windswept Newquay International Airport, Cornwall on July 27, 2018 - plus a few tiddlers - during the heatwave which turned the UK into a sweltering sauna.

The £200M aircraft was built at Boeing's production plant in California.

This aircraft is known as "the workhorse of the RAF", they play a vital role in sustaining the UK's 'air bridge' with Afghanistan -- carrying supplies and passengers into and out of the country.

C-17s can fly for more than 4,500 nautical miles meaning it can fly directly from Helmand Province to the UK.

As well as transporting troops and equipment, C-17s can also be converted rapidly to offer Intensive Care provision in support of the Aeromedical Airbridge.

The C-17A Globemaster III provides the RAF with a long-range strategic, heavy-lift transport aircraft that can operate in support of combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian
missions worldwide.

C-17A is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to operating bases anywhere in the world.

It specialises in outsized loads and can transport 45,360kg of freight while flying at altitudes over 30,000ft.

It is also the platform of choice for long-distance aeromedical-evacuation flights.

The UK C-17As are developing the capability to airdrop paratroopers and stores in the future and the aircraft’s design allows it to carry out tactical operations to semi-prepared runways in austere

Due to the natureof the C-17A’s capability and role it is often the first in and lastout of any area of operations.