Air International 2013-04
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N.Pittaway - Hooro 'H' /Military/
The crew members of the final C-130H Hercules flight to the RAAF Museum from left: Sqn Ldr Robert Sokol (pilot); Flying Officer Michael Burns (navigator); Flying Officer Brett Aaker (pilot); Warrant Officer Stuart Wilson (loadmaster); Warrant Officer Anthony Bremner (flight engineer).
C-130H Hercules A97-007 flies at low level around Colo Heights in New South Wales.
RAAF C-130Hs routinely trained from austere dirt airstrips in outback Australia and often operated in the field during exercises and humanitarian relief operations. C-130H A97-005 is pictured undergoing unprepared airfield training operations.
With the city of Sydney and its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing the backdrop, A97-005 flies close formation on the camera aircraft for a flight staged as a farewell event to the C-130H Hercules.
Crews of the final two operational RAAF C-130Hs pose after the final flypast at RAAF Richmond on November 30, 2012.
RAAF C-130Hs gained self protection systems for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A97-004 is seen demonstrating a rapid flare launch.
C-130H A97-010 painted in the older wrap-around camouflage colour scheme which was replaced by the two-tone grey scheme late in the type's RAAF career.
Commemorative markings were applied to A97-005 following the announcement that the C-130H fleet would be prematurely retired, after 34 years of operations without a major accident. The motif at the base of the fin is the emblem of No.37 Squadron, which continues to fly the C-130J-30 from RAAF Base Richmond.
Flying at 4,000 feet, the crew steer C-130H A97-008 over the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.