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Lyneham Transport Wing (LTW)
24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadron - RAF Lyneham

RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire is the home of the RAF's transport fleet of Lockheed C-130 Hercules. It is over forty years since the first of 66 C-130K Hercules C.1 (most later upgraded to C.3 standard) were delivered to the RAF from August 1, 1967. Thirty or so years later a further 15 C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 and 15 C-130J Hercules C.5 were delivered to the RAF Lyneham Transport Wing (LTW). The remaining 'K' variants are expected to be in operation till around 2012.
The LTW comprises 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons their role is Tactical Air Transport. The LTW comes under the command of 2 Group Air Combat Support and Air Battle Management and the 38 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW). 24 Squadron operates the C.4 variant, 30 Squadron the C.4 and C.5, C.3A and 70 Squadron operates the C.3 variant only and 47 Squadron the C.1, C.3. By March 2011 there were only nine C-130K's in operation, three C.1's, one C.3 and five C.3A's.

The C-130 fulfils a variety of roles for the RAF. In the Air Transport role the C-130 is ideal for short haul operations of troops and equipment. As the C-130 can land on short and unprepared landing strips, its rugged design means it is suited to Tactical Air Land Operations. Troops and equipment can be off-loaded in full fighting order in rapid time. If required troops, including Special Forces and equipment can be dropped by parachute on to a Drop Zone (DZ) within a five minute window. Delivery profiles can include High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) or High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO). The Air Loadmaster who is responsible for everything behind the flight-deck can work with Ground Engineers working as threat observers, to air drop troops and supplies day or night. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have also been added to the role of these aircraft, in place of the Nimrod MR.2's on occasions. Inflatable life rafts and divers can be dropped into the sea. The fleet of C-130's are also available at short notice to deliver humanitarian aid and non-combatant evacuation.

Some operations demand that the crew fly the C-130 at low-level. Operating such a large aircraft at low level is as demanding as it is thrilling. It involves managing a large crew and utilising defensive tactics with a comprehensive range of defensive aids. Unlike fast-jets the C-130 is unable to climb out of some tricky situations, pilots have to be constantly aware of their escape options. A typical low-level training sortie will include 'events' ranging from dummy drop zones, live drops to natural surface landings. The C-130 during low-level operations in hostile environments are potentially vulnerable to air-to-air threats, consequently crews practice fighter evasion exercises, often at night using night vision goggles (NVG).

C-130K Hercules C.3 (image 071_9957w5+)

C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV202) in mid Wales in 2007.

Left to right: C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH888 and ZH887) of 30 Squadron in April 2011 and August 2011.

Left to right: C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH885) of 30 Squadron and C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV214) in Wales in November 2010.

Left to right: C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 (ZH869) and C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV301) of 47 Squadron in October 2010 in mid Wales, it was retired from service on March 31, 2011.

Left to right: Three C-130J Hercules C.5's (ZH883, ZH884 and ZH889) of 30 Squadron on three seperate sorties on the same day in March 2010.

Left to right: C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH889) of 30 Squadron in December 2009.

Left to right: C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH883) of 30 Squadron in September 2009. The green panels are as a result of Marshall's of Cambridge fitting an anti-abrasion system.
C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 (ZH870) in June 2010. The blisters on the rear fuselage side house the Nemesis DIRCM self-protection system against heat-seeking missiles.

Left to right: C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH884) of 30 Squadron in March 2009. C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV221) low flying in mid Wales in September 2009, it was retired from service on March 31, 2011.

Left to right: C-130K Hercules C.3A (XV303) made two passes in mid Wales in February 2009.

Left to right: C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV202) low flying in mid Wales in August 2007.

Left to right: C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV202) later in the day low flying in mid Wales in August 2007.

Left to right: C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV307) at low level in the Lake District in September 2004.

Pilots are trained to fly at low level at night using night vision goggles (NVG's). Air to air refueling (AAR) day and night is also a requirement. From dusk onwards C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV301, c/s Ascot 690) is seen here during an AAR mission with 216 Squadron Tristar in November 2004 over the North Sea.

The RAF with its shorter but newer C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH885), produced an impressive 'Khe Sanh' style approach and landing, diving onto the airfield at the 2004 Waddington air display.
C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH888) at Waddington air show in 2005.

C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 (ZH871) and Hercules C.5 (ZH883) low level in Wales.