Boeing C-17A seen circling Herefordshire

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III started its flight at RAF Brize Norton at just after midday.

After flying straight to Hereford the military aircraft circles Herefordshire heading out to Eardisley before looping back around to the city.

The plane was circling Hereford for over an hour before returning to Brize Norton by 2.30pm

Paul Lloyd took this picture for the Hereford Times Camera Club

Zayla Beecham took this picture for the Hereford Times Camera Club

The RAF website said the Globemaster is a long-range, heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft which can operate close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide.

It said it is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world.

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The Globemaster’s load-bearing rear ramp and digitally controlled loading systems, combined with the skills of its crews and ground handlers, enable large, complex items of equipment, including Chinook helicopters, military vehicles and other heavy items of specialist kit to be loaded.

It can transport 45,360kg of freight more than 8,334km while flying at altitudes above 35,000ft.

The aircraft’s design enables high-angle, steep approaches at relatively slow speeds, allowing it to operate into small, austere airfields and onto runways as short as 3,500ft long and just 90ft wide.

You can check the aircraft's flightpath on Flightradar HERE

Paula Coomber took this picture of somebody parachuting from the plane para

We are awaiting a response from the Royal Air Force for more information about the reason for the flight.