The answer to the question above can yield some pretty unique and interesting responses here in my neck of the woods. I live just about 3 miles, as the crow flies, from Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), which hosts a number of daily flights from commercial carriers such as Alaska, Allegiant, Delta and United, as well as private jets and cargo and small planes. But on any given day one can see an interesting array of aircraft in the local airspace, providing fun viewing for afficionados and even the most casual observer.

MFR is the home field for Erickson Inc., manufacturer of the S-64 Air Crane helicopter, used in heavy-lift applications such as aerial firefighting, construction and logging. During the winter months we often see the insect-like craft flying back and forth as crews from around the world come here for flight training.

In warmer months we (unfortunately) often see them as they assist in fighting wildfires in the region.

This past May we had an especially large visitor to the airfield, an Antonov 124, one of the world’s largest cargo planes.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

It flew in to transport two of the Erickson helicopters and spare parts to Greece and Italy (where they’re likely being used to fight the wildfires raging there right now). The plane is large enough to carry the two helicopters end to end in its hold. I joined a crowd of folks at the end of the runway to watch it take off; what an incredible sight!

We also see quite a lot of military aircraft here. F-15 fighter jets from the 173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, based at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, about 70 miles east of us, often practice landings and take-offs here and also provide fly-overs for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades and events. We enjoy our own private airshow as they roar into the air in a steep take-off, afterburners flaming. We also often see the big KC-10 Extender air tanker, the “flying filling station” circling our valley as the pilots practice touch-and-go maneuvers.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

Occasionally we’ll have visitors from other military bases. This spring some F-18 fighter jets flew in from the naval air station on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

The VAQ-209 electronic attack squadron of the U.S. Navy Reserve is known as the “Star Warriors,” and its Hornets carry their own unique insignia.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com

Over the past several summers, fire retardant-carrying tankers have become an all-too-common sight.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

The Medford Air Tanker Base is located on the east side of the airport, and crews there are busy from dawn to dusk filling the tankers that are constantly circling in to refill and then taking off to attack fires throughout the region.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

An MD-87 “heavy” air tanker can fly at 345 mph at 18,000 feet, allowing it to rapidly get its load of 3,000 gallons of fire retardant to its target and back again for another pass.

Photo courtesy RogueWeather.com, Tim Crippin

The largest tanker in the fleet is a DC-10, able to release its load of 9,400 gallons of fire retardant in 8 seconds.

T-910 at Medford, June 30, 2021 by Tim Crippin

It’s a relief to have these planes available to tackle all the fires burning here in Oregon and Northern California.

Yes, the skies here in my part of the world provide views of an interesting variety of aircraft, no matter the season.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor