Heads up for some Hercules action around South Australia:

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A Hercules accelerates for departure.

What:             Up to three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130J Hercules transport aircraft fly in support of Army’s Exercise Hamel in South Australia.

Where:           The Hercules will be operating largely from RAAF Base Edinburgh, flying to airfields in Whyalla, Port Pirie and Woomera.

When:            26 June to 10 July 2016. Flying activity to some airfields is expected to occur until 3am during the exercise.

Background:
South Australians may notice an increase in flying activity in late June and early July as RAAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft operate in support of Army’s Exercise Hamel.

A trio of Hercules will be used predominantly to deliver Army personnel to and from airfields in Port Pirie and Whyalla. Army personnel deployed in the nearby Cultana Training Area will also be resupplied through the airdrop of cargo.

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A C-130J performs a high performance takeoff.

Plans are under way for ground-based refuelling at Port Pirie, which will see the RAAF Hercules offloading its fuel onto Army helicopters such as the CH-47 Chinook and the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.

For much of Exercise Hamel, the Hercules will be operating from RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Exercise Hamel forms an important part of the training for aircrew operating the C-130J Hercules on frontline operations, such as the current deployment of two Hercules to the Middle East Region.

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A trio of Hercules

Each Hercules can accommodate more than 120 passengers or up to 20 tonnes of cargo, and is capable of airdropping paratroops or cargo by parachute. The aircraft’s cargo bay can also be configured to carry trailers and vehicles.

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Load master’s waving

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