The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin. Apart from the basic role as a troop carrier, it is capable of undertaking special operations, in-flight refuelling and disaster relief operations. The aircraft is equipped with specialised equipment including Forward Looking Infra Red, Heads-Up-Display, night vision equipment and modern navigational aids. These enable the aircraft to perform precision low-level flying, aerial delivery of troops and cargo as also landing on semi-prepared or unprepared surfaces in blackout conditions. The aircraft is also equipped with selfprotection devices to operate in hostile environment.

In February 2011, the Indian Air Force (IAF) received its first of the six aircraft ordered in 2008 with the remaining five arriving by the end of the year. The then CAS Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, described the C-130J as “the most potent and versatile aircraft joining the IAF as it moved towards maintaining aerospace dominance”.

The C-130 is not new to the IAF. In November 1962 in the wake of the Sino-Indian conflict, C-130s of the USAF operated for a few months alongside the transport fleet of the IAF to provide logistic support to the forces deployed to confront the Chinese. Five decades later, the C-130 is back in India in its new avatar, the C-130J Super Hercules, to equip No 77 Squadron of the IAF. With six more aircraft likely to join the IAF soon, the fleet will provide a cutting edge to its special operations and airlift capability in more ways than one.

Since its induction in 2011, the Super Hercules with the IAF have rendered yeomen service especially in disaster management.

Sikkim Earthquake

On September 18, 2011, Sikkim, bordering Nepal, was struck by a devastating earthquake of a magnitude of 6.9 Mw. The IAF responded swiftly deploying two of its newly acquired C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to airlift within hours, the National Disaster Relief Force personnel as also relief material/supplies from Delhi to Bagdogra, an IAF airfield located close to Sikkim. The aircraft continued to support the disaster relief operations thereafter.

Uttarakhand Disaster

In mid-June 2013, the Northern state of Uttarakhand was devastated by unprecedented rain that caused massive landslides and destruction of communication links. Villages were cut-off and thousands of pilgrims were stranded. The IAF committed three of its C-130Js Super Hercules aircraft in support of the disaster relief operations dubbed as “Operation Rahat”. These aircraft delivered thousands of tonnes of relief material/supplies, provided 30,000 litres of fuel for helicopters operating in forward areas and airlifted sick and injured personnel in large numbers. The C130-J landed at Dharasu, a landing strip near Uttarkashi only 4,500 feet long. The operation demonstrated the flexibility and versatility of the Super Hercules aircraft in crisis situations.

Cyclone Phailin

In the second week of October 2013, a Cyclone Phailin hit the coast of Odisha. The IAF pressed into service the C-130J Super Hercules to support relief operations.

Typhoon Haiyan

In mid-November 2013, Philippines was hit by the largest storm to make landfall in recorded history, the Supertyphoon Haiyan causing widespread destruction of homes, livelihood and infrastructure. An IAF C-130J Super Hercules delivered 15 tons of relief supplies in Tacloban City consisting of hygiene chemicals, drinking water, tents, blankets, tarpaulins, water purification equipment, ready-made meals and powder milk.

Exercise CASEVAC EAST 2013

Conducted on November 29, 2013, the exercise was part of a massive casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) drill mounted by the IAF for demonstration and benefit of various stakeholders including army, para-military forces and disaster management response managers of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Sikkim. An IAF Super Hercules aircraft was modified into an air ambulance configuration with ‘patient transfer unit’ and life saving equipment with services of ‘critical care air transport team’ for speedily airlifting 50 mock patients on stretchers from a simulated disaster zone in Jorhat, in upper Assam to Bagdogra in North Bengal. The exercise showcased the IAF and Army’s operational preparedness, cohesion and professional capabilities besides synergising inter-dependencies among the various stakeholders in disaster situations.