G is for Galaxy
If there were ever a city built for aircraft, it would be Anchorage, Alaska. It made sense; Alaska had the highest ratio of aircraft to car ratio of any state in the union. In fact, it had the highest ratio of planes to cars of any place other than a few tiny island nations out in the Atlantic Ocean. Within the Anchorage municipal area, affectionately referred to as the Anchorage bowl, there were 17 airports, each designed to meet the needs of a specific type of airframe and mission.
While Dipper often dreaded flying up to Anchorage as it risked her running into her family, she still found joy every time her hull kissed the water of the Lake Hood Seaplane Base. As the world's busiest seaplane airport, Lake Hood's docking zones and four water landing areas were always bustling with activity. They even had a proper gravel strip that allowed the seaplane's less water-prepared brethren to swoop in for a visit.
Lake Hood was also known for its view...nearly adjacent to the Seaplane Base was Ted Stevens International Airport. While the airport was classified medium-sized passenger hub, it held the title of being the fourth busiest cargo airport in the world, only falling behind Hong Kong, Memphis, and Shanghai Pudong International Airports as far as tonnage. This meant that there was always a steady stream of heavy cargo haulers flying in and out of the airspace. Even though these aircraft were not really Dippers style, she preferred a man of speed. After all, she still could still respect a big, beautiful aft when she saw one.
There was one particular plane whose aft really did rule them all, and while they often landed and took off from Elmendorf Air Force Base, it wasn't uncommon for Lockheed C-5 Galaxies that were transiting from North America to Asia to make a stop at Ted Stevens International Airport to rest and refuel. And whenever they did, they always had a bit of an audience.
"Now, that is a handsome plane." Dipper couldn't help but purr to the plane slip next to her. The twin otter simply giggled in agreement as they watched the wide-winged aircraft make its final approach on the runway at the neighboring airport. Only once the cargo plane had dipped out of view did the smaller aircraft turn their attention to sipping the fancy mixed drinks in front of them.
"So, have you ever had the chance to see one of those big boys up close?" The twin otter asked after both aircraft were pleasantly buzzed.
"A few times," Dipper admitted settling deeper into the water. She got a dreamy look in her eyes as she reflected on the past. "Honestly, they are even more breathtaking up close, especially if you watch them getting loaded up. The sheer amount of stuff they can shove up their rear hatch is…" she let her voice get a little bit husky, "impressive."
The twin otter's giggles got even more amused as she raised an eyebrow. "Please, do tell."
And that is exactly what Dipper did, in great detail, much to the delight of her slip companion.
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy: The C-5 Galaxy is classified as a heavy intercontinental strategic airlift aircraft. It is among the largest military aircraft ever built and can carry over 110,000 more pounds than the next biggest US Air Force Aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III. This aircraft is relatively unique because its nose can be lifted up, allowing the plane loads that would be too wide/tall for any aircraft other than the Antonov An-225 Mirya. The nose door also allows the C-5 Galaxy to be loaded from the front and back at the same time. This aircraft first flew into service in 1968, and 131 planes have been built so far.
Due to its size, the Galaxy is a bit of a gas hog, and so it is primarily used when repositioning materials around the world is time critical. The Galaxy's reputation in humanitarian response is particularly untarnished, where this large plane is used to move entire mobile hospitals or enough food to feed a small city in one flight. This aircraft also plays a critical response in submarine search and rescue operations as it was able to quickly deploy the Mystic-class rescue subs anywhere in the world and currently can carry the remotely operated Submarine Rescue Diving Recompression Systems.
Because the C-5 Galaxy is both actively used by the military, has a relatively rare airframe, and is so heavy that they require specialized runways, it can be difficult to spot in the wild. This said, there is now one on display at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Delaware, and a second one was recently delivered to Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center in California, where it will eventually be added to the museum.