Why a huge U.S. military plane circled over Fort Erie Saturday
September 27, 2026 at 8:10 AM
A U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo jet thundered over Fort Erie shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday during a rehearsal of Sunday’s flyover at the Buffalo Bills game.
The Bills announced this week that the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 326th Airlift Squadron, based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, will fly the C-17 over Highmark Stadium before Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The jet looped four times over the Crystal Beach area, then circled over Niagara Falls before it landed at Buffalo Niagara International Airport at 12:14 p.m.
The C-17 flies over Fort Erie about an hour after it left Dover Air Force Base in Delaware with a crew from the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 326th Airlift Squadron. Credit: Roman Ber | FacebookThe jet left Dover at about 10:10 a.m. under the call sign RIDER92, according to the flight-tracking website ADS-B Exchange.
The C-17 ranks among the biggest planes in the U.S. military, with a wingspan of about 52 metres, and the air force flies it to haul troops and heavy cargo.
Canada and the United States allow each other’s military aircraft to fly and train in their airspace under a standing authorization, the Department of National Defence told CBC News last year.
The Bills edged the Houston Texans 36-31 in their season opener, then beat the Detroit Lions 41-31 on September 17 in the first regular-season game at their new US$2.1-billion, 60,108-seat stadium. Quarterback Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes in the first half against Detroit.
The C-17 is expected to pass over the stadium a few minutes before kickoff, weather permitting.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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