MC-130H in NZ

[ErrolC]

There is a USAF MC-130H in NZ currently (or at least it was here on Friday). Anyone know why? Some kind of exercise presumably.

Over Hamilton
www.flickr.com/photos/49222841@N06/14694353723/in/photostream/

Landing at Whenuapai
www.flickr.com/photos/zk-ngj/14713911413/in/photostream/

nzff.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=22827&st=0

ex-Kadena (Japan), via Cairns
fnqskies.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/usaf-special-operations-squadron-sog-mc.html

[raymond]

Had two hercs quite low over my place (out past Kumeu) a couple of times yesterday evening thought there must be some exercise on

[kiwiduster1]

Here to pick up Dot Com !! Check with JK.

[philip]

There was one doing exercises off takapuna beach on Friday late afternoon. Dropping things into the water with smoke targets.

[ErrolC]

More detail (and photos) at MRC Aviation
mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/military-movers.html

16 July saw Whenuapai greet two Lockheed MC130H "Talon II" Hercules of the United States Air Force.
90-0162 of the 1SOS/53SOG based at Kadena, Japan, arrived in the early hours from Brisbane as "TANG 11" and was followed a few hours later by 88-0191, also from Brisbane, as "TANG 12". Both aircraft are in NZ for Exercise "Black Frontier" and their flying has consisted of at least one daytime navigation exercise flying to the South Island and back and numerous local deployments on parachute operations. During the domestic phase of flights the aircraft have been using the callsign "GOOSE".

The two MC130H's were joined by a third example on the evening of 23 July with 89-0280 arriving from Cairns via Brisbane as "TANG 21".

We believe this to be the first time the MC130 Hercules variant has visited NZ but would appreciate confirmation for any readers.

[McFly]

From 'back in the day'...

"Just after the conclusion of Foal Eagle 81, the 1st SOS deployed one MC-130E and an augmented crew to Auckland, New Zealand, for Exercise Gonfalon 81. As had been the case in previous years, the New Zealand SAS hosted the exercise. The 1st SOS established an AFSOB and, along with a 374th TAW C-130, supported the two-phased unconventional warfare exercise."

NB: There were MC-130 visits in May and Oct 1978 (Exercise Gonfalon 78), Nov/Dec 81 (Gonfalon 81 - below) and I believe again in 1984.

(Whenuapai)


(Whenuapai)