An Air Force C-130H Hercules will be operating in local skies on a training exercise over the next 10 days - possibly for the last time.

The old model Hercules have been operational with the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) No.40 Squadron since 1965 and are scheduled to be replaced by five newer model C-130J Super Hercules by 2024.

The RNZAF C-130H transport aircraft, which arrived at Wanaka Airport on Monday (March 15), is participating in Exercise Skytrain, designed to consolidate deployment and flying skills. The exercise will continue until March 26.

Also deployed on exercise are 120 personnel from RNZAF Bases Whenuapai (Auckland), Ohakea (near Bulls) and Woodbourne (near Blenheim) who spent the first day setting up a tented camp on Wanaka’s airfield in the rain, detachment commander Squadron Leader Rob Attrill said.

The turboprop transport aircraft will be operating in the region for the next 10 days. PHOTO: Supplied

The exercise provides crews with a range of flying training, including over unfamiliar and challenging terrain, coordinating pallet drops into drop zones and landing the aircraft on runways different to those used at the squadron’s home base in Auckland.

“An important part of our training is being able to operate effectively and successfully away from our home base so every year we run a Skytrain exercise in New Zealand to further hone these skills,” Rob said. 

The mid-flight pallet drops, in particular, take skilled flying and precision timing. The Hercules cargo bay is fitted with rollers on rails to which the load on pallets is stropped. On approach to the drop zone the rear cargo bay door is opened and the load is released at the exact height and time to ensure it lands safely within the designated drop zone.

There are various pre-arranged drop zone locations on farmers’ land in the lower South Island, as far north as Tekapo and as far south as Invercargill. The loads are weighted pallets which simulate a real-life load for training purposes, such as the loads of emergency supplies provided during cyclone relief operations in the Pacific. The pallets will be retrieved by Defence Force personnel.

The Air Force’s tented camp on the airfield at Wanaka Airport. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Over the years Hercules aircraft have been regular participants at Wanaka’s Warbirds Airshow but Rob said members of the public may see the aircraft flying lower than normal as this is a core skill aircrews need to maintain.

While the exercise will be based out of Wanaka, the four-engined turboprop Hercules will also be conducting landings at Timaru and Oamaru airfields. There will be morning and afternoon flights but no night flying and no flying on Sunday.

Rob said the squadron was looking forward to being in Wanaka for the duration. 

“Communities in the south are largely supportive of the Air Force and it will be great to support local businesses while we are here.”