Altus Air Force Base - Spotting Guide

Altus Air Force Base – Spotting Guide

May 30, 2024 - last modified on June 6, 2024

Altus Air Force Base (LTS/KLTS) is a US air force base in the southwest of Oklahoma in the city of Altus with only 18.000 inhabitants. The air base is home to 54th Air Refueling Squadron with KC135s, the 56th Air Refueling Squadron with KC46s and the 58th Airlift Squadron with C17s. Apart from that, Altus is very quiet…

Written by Garrett Heller and Frank. Last Update: May 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
17R/35L	4097m / 13440ft
17L/35R	2744m / 9000ft
Spotting Information
Ladder	It is not recommended to use ladders here at all!
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around the airfield and reach the spots.
Drinks/Food	There are some restaurants just down the roadi towards the centre of Altus.
Hotels	There is a holiday Inn just down the street from spot 1/2.
Season	No season in terms of way more traffic, but around bank holidays (christmas, easter, …) traffic may be a bit quieter. However, Altus is very busy from time to time during their severe weather excercise: as ALT is located in an hurricane alley, they sometimes train to evacuate the airbase as quick as possible due to bad weather forecasts: then you can see docens of aircraft taxiing and departing real close called “elephant walk”… However, this event is not regularly held on the same day, but tends to be once a year.
Security	Remember that this is a USAF air base! Always try to keep a low profile (stow your camera at all times e.g.) and be aware of law enforcement. Police and USAF security forces are uneasy of photographers around the base and it is very possible you will be asked to leave. In addition, always keep an ID with you in case you are getting checked: stay friendly, simply explain what you do here and cooperate… Mostly if you just say you are watching planes (and try to not have your camera next to you), they will leave you alone and tell you not to make any pictures. But sometimes they do also run license plate checks, wanna see the pictures on your SD or they will even make you delete shots, so plan on either having throwaway shots or download shots to another device while spotting to be safe. Stay away from the fence! Do not use ladders at all!
Runway Usage
General Info	Both runways are used in both directions according to the winds. However, as Altus is a training base, it is usual that the KC-135s, KC-46s and C-17s practise landings on the various runways so you will see aircraft making landing patterns. The small center runways are used by the C-17 for assault landings.

	Spot #1 – Great Western Cattle Trail Monument – 36L/R Arrivals
WHERE	You can pull off Highway 62 into the small circle drive with around the Great Western Cattle Trail Monument. Just leave your car by the side here and shoot the arrival path from here.

WHAT	This spot is good for morning arrivals on 36L and PM arrivals on 36R.

TIME	Runway 36L in the morning, 36R in the eve.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing around here, but all you need is down the road in Altus.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm KC-135 side on 105mm / C-17 approach 320mm

	Spot #2 – Hwy 62 Roadside – 36L/R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is nothing more than a small road leading onto the fields along the highway. Just pull over here as far as possible or turn off into Challenger Blvd a few meters west and shoot from there directly…

WHAT	Mainly 36L Arrivals, 36R Arrivals are only visible in the far distance…

TIME	From noon till sunset.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing around here, but all you need is down the road in Altus. As this spot is directly along the busy highway, be very careful! Pull over to the grass as far as possible and stand away from the road!

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm KC-135 150mm / KC-46 105mm / C-17 120mm

	Spot #3 – S County Rd – 18 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found at the northwestern end of the air base on S County Rd, but yet again, feel free to move around according to your taste of angle. Just pullover to the roadside somewhere here and you are good to go.

WHAT	From here you can spot 18L/C/R arrivals.

TIME	All runways will have nice light from later noon till sunset.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing around here, but all you need is down the road in Altus. Be aware that 18L is located quite far away already and heat haze is a big issue when spotting 18L arrivals. Also take care when driving in hear with rental cars (especially after rainy periods) as the road is bumpy and can be quite tricky.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

The spot is just down this bumpy field road:

	Spot #4 – E 1600 Rd – 18 Arrivals
WHERE	Located simply somewhere along E 1600 Rd (a small road between some fields north of the base), this spot is easy to find and not one exact position: rather choose your favourite position here freely and just pullover to the roadside somewhere.

WHAT	From here you will nicely see 18R Arrivals west of you and 18L Arrivals east of you – 18C just above you.

TIME	18R in the morning, 18L in the evening.

MISC.	Absolutely nothing around here, but all you need is down the road in Altus.

FOCAL LENGTH	Should be 70-300mm