C-130 Hercules

The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

An Airman from the 189th Airlift Wing gives a thumbs-up during a training flight June 8, 2015, near Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The Air Education and Training Command’s 314th AW and Arkansas Air National Guard’s189th AW provide the foundation of combat airlift with initial training in the C-130J Super Hercules and C-130H Hercules. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Scott Poe

C-130 Super Hercules

The C-130 operates throughout the U.S. Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations.

Basic and specialized versions of the aircraft airframe perform a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.

Features: Using its aft loading ramp and door the C-130 can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel. In an aerial delivery role, it can airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds or use its high-flotation landing gear to land and deliver cargo on rough, dirt strips.

C-130 Hercules

The flexible design of the Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing for one aircraft to perform the role of many.

OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN -- A C-130 Hercules from the 2nd Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., flies over the Atlantic Ocean. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the intratheater portion of the airlift mission.

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The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for paradropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Howard Blair) Information presented on Air Force Link is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.

Air Force C-130s equipped to fight fires

The Air Force has four wings flying C-130 Hercules aircraft that can be equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems like the C-130 shown here. (U.S Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rick Sforza)

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