• Squadron Leader Andrew Colledge, the C-130 Hercules detachment Executive Officer. For ten years, Australia’s C-130 Hercules aircraft and the crews who operate them, have safely transported ADF and coalition personnel and cargo around the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). [Photo:Defence]
    Squadron Leader Andrew Colledge, the C-130 Hercules detachment Executive Officer. For ten years, Australia’s C-130 Hercules aircraft and the crews who operate them, have safely transported ADF and coalition personnel and cargo around the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). [Photo:Defence]
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C-130H Hercules marks 10 years in the Middle East

13 February 2013
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The Royal Australian Air Force has marked 10 continuous years of Hercules deployments to the Middle East.

The first two C-130H Hercules aircraft arrived in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) to support Operation Bastille in the Persian Gulf February 11, 2003.

Since then, a continuous deployment of Hercules transport aircraft has supported Defence Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian relief tasks within the region.

In 10 years, the RAAF Hercules have transported 220,200 passengers and 43,000 tonnes of cargo in the Middle East and flown more than 4600 missions in conditions ranging from well below freezing to more than 50 degrees Celsius.

More than 1000 Air Force personnel have been deployed to provide direct support to the Hercules detachment.

Today, the deployment consists of two C-130J Hercules based at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and a detachment of around 50 personnel.

Some of the milestone missions by Hercules crews include:

  • Airdrops and support to Australian units in Iraq in 2003, including a mission on April 14 when an Australian C-130H became the first Coalition aircraft to land at Al Asad Air Base, following its capture by Australian Special Forces units. The Hercules was an angel of mercy during Operation Baghdad Assist in April 2003.
  •  In September 2006, Hercules aircraft from the detachment in the Middle East were used to evacuate Australian citizens from Cyprus to Turkey under Operation Ramp, following the outbreak of hostilities in Lebanon.
  •  In 2010, the detachment of Air Force Hercules were part of Operation Pakistan Assist II, providing relief flights following devastating floods in that country.
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