The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a multipurpose military transport aircraft used by many states around the world, this is a list of the current and former operators.
The Japan Defense Agency ordered the C-130H which was the newest model in 1981. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased 16 in total to replace aging C-1 and YS-11P aircraft. The C-130Hs were received from 1984 to 1998.
JASDF C-130Hs were active in Iraq from 2004 to 2008. Two C-130Hs (95-1080 and 95–1083) have been equipped with aerial fuel-receiving and refueling functions, making them of KC-130H standard.[7][8] This provides the JASDF with the ability to refuel the UH-60J search and rescue helicopters of its Air Rescue Wing.
The JMSDF bought six used KC-130R aircraft that were in storage, having been previously operated by the US Marines. There was some speculation that they may be used as gunships with the Harvest HAWK kit.[9] In actuality they were purchased to replace three aging YS-11M/M-A aircraft of Air Transport Squadron 61.
Their air to air refueling equipment was removed, making them of C-130R standard. Corrosion repair was done and the aircraft were refitted with new landing gear supports, cargo door supports and center wing rainbow fittings. In addition to structural modifications, Japan received thirty overhauled Allison T56-A-16 engines and digital cockpit upgrades to include a digital GPS. Regeneration of the first aircraft began in November 2012 and was planned to be completed by Fall 2013.[10] The six C-130Rs were supplied from 2014 to 2016.[11]
Libya - Libyan Air Force.[1] Previously operated by the Libyan Air Force under Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's rule until 2011. Sixteen C-130H were ordered, but only eight were delivered, and the remaining aircraft embargoed in 1971.[12]
301 Heavy Airlift Group based at Lagos/Murtala Muhammed International Airport (C-130H, C-130H-30).[15] On 26 September 1992 a Nigerian C-130H, serial number 911 crashed three minutes after take-off from Lagos, when three engines failed possibly due to high take-off weight. All 158 people on board were killed, including eight foreign nationals.[16]
United Kingdom - Royal Air Force - 15 C-130J. Withdrawn from service at end of June 2023 for sale.[23][24] The Royal Air Force also previously operated the C-130K.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn"World Air Forces 2023". Flight Global. Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
^Scramble - Dutch Aviation Society. "Orbats - Algeria - Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
^"Fleet". Coulson Aviation. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
^"Coulson Aviation to bring another C-130 airtanker online this summer". Skies Mag. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
^"Boeing Team Delivers C-130H Aerial Refueling Tanker to Japan". Boeing Company. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
^"C-130H added aerial refueling and reputation Archived 11 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine"(Japanese). Asagumo News. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
^Mizokami, Kyle (27 February 2012). "The Mystery of Japan's KC-130 Buy". jsw.newpacificinstitute.org. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
^Sale Gives New Life to Excess C-130s Archived 14 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 7 March 2013 Retrieved 27 September 2017
^"Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force C-130s". Retrieved 9 November 2017.
^Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert; Delalande, Arnaud (2015). Libyan Air Wars, Part 1: 1973-1985. Solihull, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-909982-39-0.
^Scramble - Dutch Aviation Society. "Orbats - Royal Moroccan Air Force". scramble.nl. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
^Royal New Zealand Air Force. "C-130H(NZ) Hercules". www.nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 14 May 2024.