Originally Posted by
29Alpha
Is the us air force at the airport a regular thing these days?
Yes but only for certain units.
The way the USAF / USANG works on contracts is decentralised. The handler has to approach each Wing to persuade them to award the contract for handling. When Global Trek was evicted from Prestwick and moved over to NI they brought their contracts with them, and have added more. C-130s mainly, some KC-10s and a couple of KC-135s.
In contrast the US Navy seems to make a centralised decision on handling airports. However they don't dwell as long on the ground at Belfast and so are less often seen.
Certain spotters say we're not 'supposed' to talk about all this in case the US military takes a huff and pulls out. They like their secret little club.