Queenslanders cast their eyes to the sky at dusk on September 5 for the annual river run of Air Force aircraft during the Brisbane Festival’s Riverfire.

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the Brisbane River to witness the low flypasts of a 36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster III and a 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet.

As the first sounds of the C-17 were heard on approach to Brisbane, the excitement could be felt as the 53-metre-long aircraft easily navigated the curves of the Brisbane River as low as 91 metres, with ramp down and loadmasters waving from the rear.

C-17 co-pilot Flying Officer Chris said it was amazing to fly in Brisbane after being in the simulator for hours.

“When we flew in low along the river, we could see all the people within the confines of Brisbane city waving, it was spectacular," he said.

“After we landed it was high fives all around and a lot of excitement.”

Only minutes later, the roar of an F/A-18F Super Hornet made its presence felt.

'It’s not often you fly in a fighter jet and you look up to people waving at you from balconies and rooftops.'

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Declan and weapons systems officer Flight Lieutenant Niall, both from Brisbane, said the feeling on the way back to base after the sunset flypast was one of excitement and disbelief.

“Seeing the crowd for the first time as we pitched into the stretch of the river from Toowong and past South Bank was surreal, it’s not something you can prepare yourself for,” Flight Lieutenant Declan said.

“It’s not often you fly in a fighter jet and you look up to people waving at you from balconies and rooftops.”

Flight Lieutenant Niall was ecstatic that his family were river side to witness his first time flying in the iconic event.

“My wife, child and family were all there cheering me on,” Flight Lieutenant Niall said.

“They support me every day and it was a real pleasure to share with them, along with the rest of South-East Queensland, what I get to do in the Air Force, and they get to be part of this amazing experience.”

As well as the action overhead, locals also had the chance to get up close to Army vehicles and be entertained by the Royal Australian Navy Band.