C-130 Hercules Military Aircraft

Images of C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in various settings, showcasing military operations and cooperation between air forces during training missions.

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, board a KC-130J Herculesattached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1stMarine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Jan. 17, 2024. TheMarines are preparing to depart for the Big Island of Hawaii to participate in Bougainville III, a3d LCT live-fire exercise focused on decentralized operations to prepare the battalion tocommand and control forces from dispersed locations.

Two C-130 Hercules with the Peoria Air National Guards 182nd Airlift Wing participate in integrated combat turns at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, MI, June 9, 2022. During Agile Rage 22, airmen from across the Air National Guard, to include the Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing, came together to execute the Air Forces agile combat employment mission.

A Canadian Air Force C-130 arrives at Alexandria airport, Louisiana, to participate in JRTC 01-06. The Canadian aircraft from 2nd Air Movement Squadron in Trenton, Ontario, are working alongside US Air Force C-130s from the 2nd Airlift Squadron from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, to deliver personnel and supplies to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Subject Operation/Series: JRTC 01-06 Base: Alexandria State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Georgia Air National crew chief with the 165th Airlift Wing marshals a C-130 Hercules as it arrives in Savannah, Georgia on April 5, 2022 after a deployment to Europe. The Airmen were deployed in support of the U.S. Air Forces Europe and provided logistical support and a tactical airlift package supplying military aid.

050714-F-7564C-103. Base: Fort Mccoy State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

030813-M-7837W-033. Base: Camp Snoopy, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

An EC-130E Hercules from the 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, taxis to a parking spot on the flightline. The Hercules is being used as an Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center in support of the enforcement of a NATO no fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

050714-F-7564C-099. Base: Fort Mccoy State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, board a KC-130J Herculesattached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1stMarine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Jan. 17, 2024. TheMarines are preparing to depart for the Big Island of Hawaii to participate in Bougainville III, a3d LCT live-fire exercise focused on decentralized operations to prepare the battalion tocommand and control forces from dispersed locations.

An AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship undergoes pre-flight operations at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 1, 2023. AC-130 gunships have an extensive combat history dating back to Vietnam.

U.S. Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron take off from Landing Zone Charlie with their C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, during a Landing Zone Safety Officer training, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2024. Army

041204-F-2034C-024. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM / ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

Missouri Air National Guard C-130H arriving at Hohn Air Base, Germany.

061017-F-8558P-493. Base: Ramstein AB State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Unit members of the North Dakota Air National Guard, Fargo, N.D. get their first look at a C-27J Spartan aircraft upon landing Oct. 14, at Hector International Airport, by L-3 Platform Integration, Alenia North America, and the companies' joint venture, Global Military Aircraft Systems (GMAS), at the Fargo Air National Guard Base. The familiarization tour is to help unit members of the North Dakota Air National Guard get acquainted with their future aircraft and planned mission begin in 2013. The C-27J is a mid-range, multifunctional and interoperable aircraft able to perform logistical re-supply medical evacuation, troop movement, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland security missions for the U.S. Air Force. The C-27J is essential to the U.S. Air Force's ability to provide on-demand transport of time-sensitive/mission-critical cargo and key personnel to forward deployed units.

A HC-130P Combat King of the 71st RQS at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

Minnesota Air National Guard C-130H arriving at Hohn Air Base, Germany.

March 31, 2013 - A C-130J Super Hercules of the Indonesian Air Force taxiing at Langkawi Airport, Malaysia.

A Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H Hercules takes off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 2, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. Before start Operation Christmas Drop 2022, Aircrerws from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australia Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force conducted dynamic delivery airdrop mission over the Pacific Ocean. Aircrew delivering these airdrops worked to hone skills needed for effective dynamic delivery to non-surveyed drop zones, a method that incorporates real-time decision making within a challenging mission environment.

Nine LC130s with the 109th Airlift Wing conducted the units first ever Elephant Walk on September 10th 2022. An elephant walk is a United States Air Force term for thetaxiing of military aircraft in close formation; often employed to project air power through the rapid deployment of multiple aircraft at once.

Nine LC130s with the 109th Airlift Wing conducted the units first ever Elephant Walk on September 10th 2022. An elephant walk is a United States Air Force term for thetaxiing of military aircraft in close formation; often employed to project air power through the rapid deployment of multiple aircraft at once.

An HC-130J Combat King, assigned to the 355th Wing, sits on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, Oct. 27, 2022. The HC-130J is a result of the HC/MC-130 recapitalization program and replaces Air Combat Command's aging HC-130P/N fleet as the dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the Air Force inventory.

Col. Jeremy Ford, 152nd Airlift Wing commander, taxis a C-130 Hercules aircraft after landing at the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno, Nevada during his final flight fini-flight with the wing, July 26, 2022. Ford has been the commander of the 152nds High Rollers since 2021 and will be leaving in early August to take a new position at the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.

C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, and Tennessee Air National Guard taxi out for a mission during an eight-ship sortie at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 5, 2012. The sortie was part of the Samurai Surge exercise.

The first of eight P-3C Orion aircraft to be assigned to Patrol Squadron 65 (VP-65) arrives at the air station. The plane is being piloted by CAPT. Harry Rector, former commanding officer of VP-65, and CMDR. Paul Blunt, the squadron's new commanding officer. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Royal Thai Air Force C-130H Hercules that belongs to the RTAF 601st Squadron, right, and a French Air Force (Armee de L'air) C-130H Hercules, left, sit on a flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The French Air Force and separately the Royal Thai Air Forces 601st Squadron came to Japan during the same period to perform their own multilateral trainings. Both France and Thailand are part of the United Nations and Yokota Air Base is one of seven U.S. bases designated for joint United Nations Command - Rear use.

A U.S. Marines KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off in support exercise Pacific Edge 23, on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 28, 2022. Pacific Edge is a bilateral U.S. - Australian exercise held to enhance combat proficiencies through the integration of allied units and further the interoperability between the two countries aircraft.

040826-F-2233S-057. Base: Harrisburg International Airport State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 179th Airlift Wing gather in celebration of the C27J Spartan Joint Cargo Aircraft arrival to Mansfield Lahm Airport, Mansfield, Ohio. The C27J Conversion Ceremony is bidding farewell to the C-130 Hercules and welcoming the new mission and aircraft.

040606-F-2788H-016. Base: Little Rock Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aerospace propulsion technicians assigned to the 910th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron run an engine test on a 910th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules aircraft, Jan. 17, 2023, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The C-130 was grounded by an Air Mobility Command time compliance technical order on Sept. 27, 2022, while conducting an aerial spray mission at MHAFB. The 910th AW dispatched a maintenance recovery team, Jan. 9-20, to inspect and repair the C-130 for its return to service and trip home.

Arkansas Air National Guard C-130H departing from Hohn Air Base, Germany.

Senior Master Sgt. Kyle Klass marshals a C-130H Hercules from the 934th Air Wing after it landed at its new home Sept. 12, 2014, in Southwest Asia. The crew will be stationed with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for the next four months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Klass is the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dayshift production superintendent.

Texas Air National Guard Maj. Nathan Eldredge and 1st Lt. Zack Babbidge, 181st Operations Squadron C-130J pilots, taxi in from a flight marking the completion of 200,000 class A mishap-free flying hours for the 136th Airlift Wing, October 21, 2022, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. Eldredge and Babbidge piloted one of the C-130J Super Hercules in a two-ship formation celebrating the wings safety milestone.

Members of the 150th and 58th Special Operations Wings show their families around the wing and the aircraft during their annual Spouses Day event at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. May 14, 2022.

Ground crewmen secure a newly arrived C-130A Hercules aircraft during Sarex '81. Subject Operation/Series: SAREX '81 Base: Trenton, Ontario Country: Canada (CAN)

A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing shuts down its engines after moving into a parking area during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

020116-F-5872L-009. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER '02 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

A line of C-130E Hercules aircraft of the 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron taxis prior to departure for Italy. The planes will be air dropping soldiers on an Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP) mission. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

U.S. Air Force personnel with the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, perform a preflight inspection on MC-130J Commando II at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, August 2, 2022 during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3. Approximately 2,200 service members are participating to fly, maintain and support more than 110 aircraft from over 25 units during this iteration of the exercise.

German Air Force A400M tanker plane during Exercise Air Defender 2023, Wunstorf, Germany.

Malaysia, Kuantan Air Base, United States Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules on flight line during international military training exercise

Air National Guard C-130H Hercules during Exercise Air Defender 2023 in Wunstorf, Germany.

The Bundeswehr Airbus A400M aircraft, photographed during the Bundeswehr exercise 'Fast Eagle' in Barth, 05.05.2022. The exercise 'Fast Eagle' simulates an evacuation of German citizens from a fictitious crisis country within a short time, Barth, Germany, Europe

A Turkish Air Force A400M landing during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, performs dirt strip operations at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, in support of RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 17, 2022. This exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Colleen Cloud Engelbrecht, 25th Fighter Squadron pilot, and Staff Sgt. Jason Moore, 25th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs A-10 Thunderbolt II preflight procedures prior to flight operations in support of exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2022. The A-10 was primarily designed for close air support of ground forces and can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and ground targets.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cy Snyder III and Senior Airman Naden Lindstrom, C-130 Loadmasters from the 169th Airlift Squadron, Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois, work with Crew Chiefs from the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Boise, Idaho, loading a MHU-141 trailer onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft during Agile Rage 22 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., June 9, 2022. Agile Rage 22 is a National Guard Bureau-led exercise that provides realistic training opportunities, mimicking current and future combat environments dictated by the National Defense Strategy.

021101-F-3329S-006. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A Boeing (Rockwell) OV-10 Bronco and in the foreground a Northrop Grumman (Fairchild) A-10 Thunderbolt of the American Air Force during Mot & E at the Leeuwarden airbase.

Various aircrews attended the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centers Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from April 11-15, 2022 including the U.S. Air Force Reserve Commands 302nd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guards 143rd Airlift Wing, New York ANGs 105th Airlift Wing, the Royal Danish Air Forces 721 Squadron, and the U.S. Air Forces 517th Airlift Squadron. During ATAC, students spend their first week at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, and their second week at Fort Huachuca.

Various aircrews attended the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centers Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from April 11-15, 2022 including the U.S. Air Force Reserve Commands 302nd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guards 143rd Airlift Wing, New York ANGs 105th Airlift Wing, the Royal Danish Air Forces 721 Squadron, and the U.S. Air Forces 517th Airlift Squadron. During ATAC, students spend their first week at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, and their second week at Fort Huachuca.

Left side front view medium long shot as a US Air Force C-130 from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base Germany, Deployed to Air Force Base Hoedspruit, South Africa, laden with humanitarian relief supplies departs on another mission to deliver much needed supplies to Beira, Mozambique at the International Airport at Maputo, Mozambique, Africa on 17 March 2000. The team is deployed here in support of Operation Atlas Response, a Humanitarian Aid Operation to help the people of Mozambique, after severe flooding (flooding and victims not shown) displaced over a million people from their homes. Subject Operation/Series: ATLAS RESPONSE Base: Maputo State: Inhambane Country: Mozambique (MOZ)

050104-F-9429S-004. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in the loading of a M31 Marine Corps Expeditionary Arresting Gear System into a KC-130J Hercules aircraft during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-23 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, March 27, 2023. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualification to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assist in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

An Italian Navy Atlantic 1 maritime patrol aircraft, foreground, a Spanish Navy P-3A Orion aircraft, center, and a French Navy Atlantic 1 aircraft sit on the ramp. Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

The Bundeswehr Airbus A400M aircraft, photographed during the Bundeswehr exercise 'Fast Eagle' in Barth, 05.05.2022. The exercise 'Fast Eagle' simulates an evacuation of German citizens from a fictitious crisis country within a short time, Barth, Germany, Europe

A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron sits on a flightline during a fuel off-load at Iwo Jima Airport, Japan, Aug. 4, 2022. The 36th AS and 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron delivered fuel to help Marines establish a forward aerial refueling point.

Lockheed P2V-7B, P-2h & SP-2H Neptune Maritime Patrouille Plane 215 (1965-1976) on Fly Camp Valkenburg.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, execute a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft as part of exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kenebetsu Air Base, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

Kaneohe, Hawaii, July 14, 2012 - A P-3C Orion aircraft takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii to conduct a maverick missile strike exercise mission on a target at sea during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

A U.S. Army C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System lands during a Latvian-led field artillery live-fire exercise, NAMEJS, at Liepāja, Latvia, Sept. 26, 2022. Latvia is proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division, other NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, execute a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration from a C-130 Hercules aircraft as part of exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kenebetsu Air Base, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 prepare to off-load ammunition from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Resolute Dragon 22 on Camp Betsukai, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 8, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 refuels at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 15, 2022. VMGR-152 supported Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, transporting personnel, equipment, and fuel across the Indo-Pacific region.

A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft provides the backdrop for a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022, in which Col. Michael A. Cooper retired as commander of the 123rd Medical Group. Cooper served for 30 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Kentucky Air National Guard.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Tepedino, assigned to the 424th Air Base Squadron, watches a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft transport some of her peers and Soldiers, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Aug. 02, 2022.

A 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II sits on the flightline, at Kadena Air Base, Aug. 5, 2022. The MC-130J Commando II provides infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory.

DM-ST-86-08431. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A French Air Force A400M Atlas aircraft participates in an airdrop training sortie, during the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, September 28, 2022. This was the first aircrew from France to attend the course as well as the first Atlas aircrew. Since 1983 the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center has provided advanced tactical training to airlift aircrews from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Mobility Command, U.S. Marine Corps and 17 allied nations.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ian Friel, Pacific Angel 22-4 mission commander, communicates with aircrew from the 143rd Airlift Wing at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island, at Baucau City Airport, Timor-Leste, Sept. 7, 2022. Aircrew landed in Baucau to offload personnel and supplies in support of Pacific Angel 22-4. The operation is scheduled for Sept. 12-17 and will focus on capacity building through health service outreach, subject matter expert exchanges and civil engineer renovation projects.

A Nevada Air National Guard C-130H Hercules aircraft flies over Pyramid Lake, Nevada, during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, April, 15, 2022. One of the Nevada National Guards strategic priorities is to be engaged and involved with the local communities, and these flights are one of the ways the High Rollers build support from members of the Greater Reno Area.

A German air force A-400M Atlas aircraft prepares for take-off at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 31, 2023. Training objectives for International Interfly Week included establishing standard operating procedures between various aircraft, maximizing defensive capabilities at various points of flying formations, and developing contingencies for completing airdrops in normal and adverse weather conditions.

Two Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., C-130J Hercules aircraft prepare to depart Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to travel to Port-au-Prince International Airport, Haiti Jan. 17, 2010. The C-130J will be transporting personnel, medical supplies and equipment to aid in the Haitian relief efforts after a devastating earthquake struck the country Jan. 12, 2010. Little Rock AFB is a component of Air Mobility Command. Since relief operations began Jan. 13, 2010, AMC aircraft have deliver more than 323 tons of emergency tons of cargo to Haiti. (USAF

An MC-130J Commando II sits on the flightline, June 24, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets.

An Israeli Air Force C-130J Shimshon landing on a temporary dirt runway.

Moscow, Russia - August 29, 2020: International Military-Technical Forum Army-2020 ground aircraft display Moscow, Russia - August 29, 2020: International Military-Technical Forum Army-2020 ground aircraft display. Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 17096438

Left side front view medium shot of a US Marine MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft as Marines from Bravo Company, 8th Marine Regiment, 1ST Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, gather at the rear of the plane. This Image was shot at Marine Crops Air Station New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Base: Mcas, New River State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Employers from the Greater Reno Area walk on the flight line at the Nevada Air National Guard Base prior to an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, April, 15, 2022. One of the Nevada National Guards strategic priorities is to be engaged and involved with the local communities, and these flights are one of the ways the High Rollers build support from members of the Greater Reno Area.

980620-F-2907C-021. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of Joint Task Force - Alaska arrive in Bethel for disaster relief response Sept. 21, 2022, via a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft from the 176th Wings 211th Rescue Squadron. Approximately 100 service members from the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. A JTF in Nome is standing up concurrently as part of Operation Merbok Response. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

US Air Force C 130 Hercules during an exercise in Switzerland US Air Force C-130 Hercules landing, showcasing its versatility and reliability in military operations. A symbol of tactical airlift excellence, used for troop transport, cargo delivery, and humanitarian missions Copyright: xZoonar.com/ThomasxFuhrmannx 22587969

Ede,20-sep-2019:the hercules plane is approaching the heathland for dropping the paratroopers on the occasion of operation airborn, commemoration of market garden. plane approaching ede for para droppings

A group of U.S. Army and European Paratroopers conduct an AIrborne jump out of a C-130 aircraft during Exrcise Falcon Leap onto Ginkelse Heide Drop Zone, Arnhem, Netherlands., Sep. 14, 2022. More than 1000 Paratroopers from all over the world, 13 different nationalities, multiple airdrops per day, and training with each other equipment for two weeks. this is NATO's largest technical airborne exercise

020502-F-3677G-037. Base: Channel Islands Ang Station State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC/ANG

C-130H Hercules tails that belong to the Royal Thai Air Force 601st Squadron and the French Air Force (Armee de L'air) sit on a flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The French Air Force and separately the Royal Thai Air Forces 601st Squadron came to Japan during the same period to perform their own multilateral trainings. Both France and Thailand are part of the United Nations and Yokota Air Base is one of seven U.S. bases designated for joint United Nations Command - Rear use.

A U. S. Air Force Airman from the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. performs Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training while marshaling an A-10 Thunderbolt II during an Integrated Combat Turn (ICT) during Agile Rage 22, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., June 7, 2022. ACE is not a specific mission, but a universal application to all combat air force operations. ACE is the ability to project combat power anytime, anywhere, while remaining operationally unpredictable to complicate an adversary's decision making process.

Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing showcase their HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to spectators attending the 2022 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering at the Palmer Municipal Airport in Palmer, Alaska, May 7. The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is an annual two-day event that features indoor and outdoor static aircraft, and national and international exhibitions that promote general aviation in Alaska. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda ONeal)

A high angle right-side view of a P-3C Orion in-flight over a thick cloud bank. The P-3 is from Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22), on temporary duty in Japan, from Moffett Field, Calif. Country: Japan (JPN)

Refueling an Idling V-22 Osprey

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer attached to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, taxis down a taxiway after a mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 6, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

An EC-130H Compass Call from the 55th Electronic Combat Group piloted by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin Kennedy takes off at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 14, 2022. The 55th ECG is responsible for operating and maintaining the Air Forces only airborne electronic attack mission.

A B-29 Superfortress known as Doc,” flies during Fairchild Skyfest 2022 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 15, 2022. Team Fairchild held the air show as a means of thanking the local community for their support and partnerships, as well as to inspire future generations of Airmen with a showcase of U.S. Air Force assets and their capabilities.

An air-to-air front view of an MC-130E Hercules Combat Talon aircraft of the 7th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) during a Fulton recovery mission. The 7th SOS conducts training for special air operations and related activities. The unit also trains with Army Special Forces and Navy Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) team members for unconventional warfare operations. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An air-to-air right side view of a Patrol Squadron 68 (VP-68) P-3C Orion aircraft over the air station. Base: Naval Air Station Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron departs Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 14, 2022. The squadron forward deployed multiple aircraft to Curaçao ahead of anticipated weather reconnaissance missions into Tropical Depression 7 near the Leeward Islands.

980616-F-2907C-032. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110202-N-5685W-224ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 2, 2011) An E-2D Hawkeye assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 completes a "touch-and-go" exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The "D" model is aboard Harry S. Truman for carrier suitability testing before delivery to the fleet. Harry S. Truman is supporting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications.

May 9, 2013 - A C-130 Hercules of the Italian Air Force landing on an unpaved landing strip, Grazzanise, Italy.

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