C 130 Opportunities?

SamAca10

10-Year Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
1,045
Does anyone know what types of missions the C 130 performs in each of the branches that owns it? This is the aircraft that I would LOVE to fly...what types of missions to C 130 pilots do in the AF, CG, MC, etc.? Which one has the most opportunities?

Best Aircraft EVER, IMHO :cool:
 
I spent some time as a cadet at Hurlburt Field in Florida, where 130s assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command are (were?) based. I also have a few classmates from VMI who are Navs on them (or whatever the USAF calls Navs now).

I know that, in the USAF, the 130 is used as an airlift platform obviously, both in conventional and special operations (Combat Talon/Shadow) roles (one special operations mission is the dropping of the BLU-82 daisy cutter bomb). Also, the AC-130 Spectre and Spooky platforms are used as gunships, and those things are bad ass (excuse the French). I got to fly on a live fire training mission on a Spectre gunship as part of my AFROTC Operations Air Force training, and it was sweet. It has a 105 mm cannon in the side of it that means the aircraft can act as, essentially, an airborne artillery support platform. The AC-130s can be called in for air support and rain down some serious fire. In addition to the 105, there are also 2 20mm guns and 1 40mm gun. I think the armament has changed a bit, but I flew on the Spectre back in 1998.

That exhausts the extent of my knowledge on the 130 for the USAF. I flew on the conventional and special ops version. They are slow and noisy, but I suppose there is a certain charm to them.
 
My nephew is enlisted in the USAF and currently is a crew chief on a C130. They do all kinds of crazy stuff that really surprised me when he told me the stories. In the past few months, they have flown down to South America (or some Caribbean country) for a load of BANANAS!! They have taken a load of some type of appliances to Italy and they have made 2 or 3 trips to one of the 'Stan' countries (Kazurkistan or whatever?) with military equipment.
 
I know some marines that fly C130's and they do a lot of cool stuff too however, be warned that for the marines right now C130's are incredibly competative out of primary, as in one or two slots per fiscal year. I don't know how far out you are and if that is going to change in the future or not though.
 
That's so awesome guys! Is it really that competive it the marines? Sounds like they have pretty unique missions. Haha I knew there was a reason I loved the Herc :thumb:
 
One thing to realize about being a heavy driver in the AF is the fact that they are deployed the most, except after AWACS. I believe it is close to the 200 day a yr marker. This might be fine when you are young with no family, but it wears on you when you have a family.
 
USCG HC-130H Hercules

HC-130.jpg


Long Range Surveillance
Search & Rescue
Personnel Transportation
Environmental Response
Ice Operations
Humanitarian Aid
 
USCG HC-130H Hercules

HC-130.jpg


Long Range Surveillance
Search & Rescue
Personnel Transportation
Environmental Response
Ice Operations
Humanitarian Aid

Just remind all that BEFORE you can get your wings in the USCG, you MUST go to sea for something like 2 years...or has that changed since I was a candidate for USCGA?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Just remind all that BEFORE you can get your wings in the USCG, you MUST go to sea for something like 2 years...or has that changed since I was a candidate for USCGA?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Not true.

In fact, last year 10% of the graduating class went directly to flight school.
 
Rumors are.....it's switching back.....but that's been a rumor for awhile (maybe since 2004, when it changed).

Who knows what will happen when the Golden Mariner becomes Commandant?
 
One of my instructors flew the MC-130 for spec ops. He said of a majority of his flight hours came from flying less than 1000 feet off the ground and at night.
 
Back
Top