Belgium Says Goodbye To Its Loyal Workhorse

As in many other countries and air forces, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules has also been the workhorse within the Belgian Air Force for many years. This military transport aircraft has proven its value several times during numerous military missions and humanitarian deployments and was an essential part of military logistics and tactical transport within the Belgian armed forces

- Kris Christiaens and Gert Trachez

The Belgian Air Force ordered twelve Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in 1970 to replace the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar which had been in service since 1952. The first C-130 was delivered in 1972 and became part of the 15th Air Transport Wing at Melsbroek Air Base (EBMB) where they were part of the 20th Squadron. During the first years of their operation, the C-130’s wore a ‘Vietnam’ camouflage scheme which was later replaced by an overall grey colour scheme. The twelve aircraft were numbered CH-01 to CH-12. Over the years they received various updates and modifications, whereby the aircraft were provided with updated wings, a digital cockpit and a self-protection system. These updates and modifications increased their lifespan until 2020. Thanks to the four powerful Rolls Royce/ Allison engines, the C-130’s can perform Short Take Off & Landing (STOL) manoeuvres in areas with little or poorly prepared terrain which is why they were often used in challenging conditions during military exercises, humanitarian missions or non-combat evacuation operations (NEO).

The main task of the 20th Squadron and its loyal C-130 transport aircraft is tactical air transport. An important part is transportation of troops and dropping of para commandos where their intervention is required. The relationship between the para commandos and aircraft has always been very close. In recent decades, the special collaboration has been successfully demonstrated during various emergency evacuations from Central Africa.