A Russian-made Antonov An-124 Ruslan, considered the world's second-largest operating cargo aircraft, sits Friday afternoon on the west tarmac at Yuma International Airport. Helicopters that appear to have been unloaded from the giant plane sit to the left.
On occasion, a Russian cargo airplane — a very large airplane — stops by the Yuma International Airport.
It's an Antonov 124, considered the world's largest ever serially manufactured cargo plane and the world's second-largest operating cargo plane with a wingspan of more than 240 feet, a length of 226 feet and a tail height of 68 feet. And it can carry a payload of up to 330,000 pounds — or 165 tons.
In comparison, the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy has a wingspan of 222 feet and a payload of 25 percent less, according to the Internet.
So what is a Russian plane doing parked at the Yuma airport? The plane, built to carry heavy and large equipment, and its Russian crew are contracted by a British company to fly for the U.S. military, explained Craig Williams, executive director of the airport.
It's a sign, he said, that globalization has come even to the military.
“The plane ... is here 10 or 12 times a year and typically is here for two or three days during loading and unloading operations. It's used to transport large equipment ... oversize equipment that won't fit in a regular cargo plane.”
As for what equipment, he said he doesn't ask and probably wouldn't be told if he did.
Most of the time, the plane parks on the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma side of the airport but occasionally ends up at the airport's Defense Contractors Complex, Williams said.
“We tell the ops department we're always open. We love it when they park here. They buy a lot of fuel.”
Williams said the Russian crew members like to shop at Walmart. So when the plane is on the civilian side of the airport, the crew is provided transportation to go on a shopping spree.
The Russian plane is but one example of the variety of aircraft that come through the airport, Williams said.
For example, he said, the Royal Air Force and the Canadian Air Force already have planes and crews here or will soon. They come to Yuma to participate in military training exercises and to use the ranges.
“Our goal for our side of the airport is to add value to MCAS,” Williams said. “We assist anytime we can in handling transient aircraft.”
There's also a diversity of small private airplanes, corporate jets and commercial airliners that come through the airport for a variety of reasons. It's fairly common for visiting aircraft to stop off at the airport to go through Customs here rather than at a larger and more congested airport.
“Almost every kind of aircraft there is comes through here. That's what makes it fun.”
