For the first time in more than 20 years, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are touring Europe, arriving yesterday in Dublin, Ireland for their opening show at the O2 Thursday night.

Here are a few photos of the band's gear as it was loaded into a 747 cargo plane in St. John's, Newfoundland for the flight over the Atlantic to Ireland last Monday. Production Manager Chris Adamson (pictured below) and Guitar Tech Alan Rogan accompanied the gear on the five-hour flight, braving frigid temperatures without an in-flight movie or beverage service.

We can't wait for tomorrow night at the O2 in Dublin! Check back for more from the 2012 Summer Tour!