Page 68 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

Argentina’s Hercules

the frustrated C-130B aspiration. These teams
completed an accelerated four-week course with
the 4442nd Training Squadron at Sewart Air
Force Base, New York, and they subsequently
flew in mixed crews with USAF personnel during
the crisis. Upon their return to Argentina, the
knowledge acquired was applied to modernise 3
the FAA tactical transport aviation doctrine.
Interest in the Hercules remained and finally
on September 15, 1967, a contract was signed
with Lockheed to buy three C-130Es. These
aircraft (serials TC-61, TC-62 and TC-63)
arrived at El Palomar on December 23, 1968.
Into service
The arrival of the new Hercules immediately
cemented Argentina’s relationship with the
continent of Antarctica, beginning with an
exploration flight on February 11, 1969. On
March 1, the first cargo drops were made at
the Matienzo and Petrel bases. On April 11,
1970, C-130E TC-61 made the first landing at
Vicecomodoro Marambio, bringing in vital 1
machinery, materials and personnel for the
construction on the base that was still under way.
This has proved to be an enduring relationship
for the FAA’s C-130s. An important outpost, it is
now continually supplied throughout the year,
with the C-130s operating alongside Twin Otters
and Mi-171Es, plus the Bell 212s and 412s that fly
here during the Antarctic summer campaigns.
Over the years, I Escuadrón’s missions
have been varied and numerous and it
has been readily called upon to deal with
catastrophes and humanitarian crises
in Argentina and globally, as well as UN
peace missions. There are also regular 2 4

Crazy flights

Long-range probing flights during 1982’s Falklands/ Nigel ‘Sharkey’ Ward. The Hercules crew was killed. member of the Marambio base personnel on April 27,
Malvinas campaign were entrusted to the ‘Chanchas’, a role In another illustration of the C-130’s utility, one aircraft 1990, TC-64 made a direct flight between El Palomar and
for which they were most definitely not equipped. Known (TC-68) was modified in order for it to be able to attack Antarctica. As it flew close to the Falklands/Malvinas
as ‘vuelos locos’ (crazy flights), these high-risk missions merchant ships that were supporting the Task Force. it was intercepted by a Phantom FGR2 of No 1435
consisted of flying low over the sea near to points where The transport received multiple ejector racks so it could Flight that escorted it until it left the local airspace.
it was presumed the British Task Force was located. The carry six EXPAL 250kg (551lb) bombs, four supplementary C-130H TC-68 in bomber configuration to
C-130 pilots would execute a sharp climb, gaining altitude fuel tanks in its cargo bay and a MATRA SFOM gun/ commemorate the type’s service in the Falklands/
and briefly triggering a radar lock on. These echoes were bomb sight. Using the callsign ‘Tigre’, TC-68 targeted the Malvinas conflict during the ceremony marking 50
marked and interrogated by identification friend-or-foe tanker British Wye on May 29 without success. On June 8, years of C-130 operations at El Palomar on December
14, 2018.
(IFF) as the C-130 was illuminated by enemy radar, before together with two Canberras, it attacked and damaged
the crew descended at pace and performed evasive a tanker that was ironically named VLCC Hercules,
manoeuvres. A total of 14 these missions was carried out forcing it to divert to Brazil where it had to be scuttled.
and during one on June 1, TC-63, callsign ‘Tiza’ was shot One further post-war incident in this region is
down by Sea Harrier FRS1 XZ451 in the hands of Lt Cdr noteworthy. Faced with the urgent need to evacuate a

66 // February 2020 #383 www.Key.Aero

06/01/2020 12:17:46
64-68 ArgentineHercules AFM Feb2020.indd 66 06/01/2020 12:17:46
64-68 ArgentineHercules AFM Feb2020.indd 66