Hercules, The Hawaiian Guardian! (USCG HC-130H)

[Matthew Clements]

Afternoon,
During March 2016 I was fortunate enough to work with the USCG Air Station Barbers Point who operate the legacy HC-130H located in Oahu, of the Hawaiian Islands. The area of responsibility for the HC-130H in Hawaii is massive, they cover remote islands all over from as far West as Guam, South to Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Wake and Midway. It is not uncommon for the legacy HC-130H to be launched out on a SAR case 2,000 miles from station.

PHJR_080316IMG_3139 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3190 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3222 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3284 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3352 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3403 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3414 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3456 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3475 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3528 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3535 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3563 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_3583 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_9146 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_080316IMG_9168 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_3741 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_3824 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9499 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9539 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9747 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9783 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9857 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_9908 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_0077 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

PHJR_090316IMG_0087 by Matthew Clements, on Flickr

If you want to learn more about USCG Air Station Barbers Point and their operations with the HC-130H there is a full feature in the October 2016 Edition of AIR International Magazine shop.keypublishing.com/issue/View/issue/AI915

Cheers,
Matt

[Morseman]

Nice.

[Dan D'Air]

Now that is something different. Great shots of a very photogenic aircraft.
TFS.

[slogen51]

Lovely stuff

For me they are amongst the best looking hercs out there.

[Proteus]

Stunning images, thanks for posting.

[DanBeeden]

Beautiful set of images - great compositions. What an awesome opportunity.

Best wishes, Dan

[bigcrow]

Very nice indeed Matt...

[Stroudy]

Very good set.

If they can be called out on SAR for that distance I wonder why they don't have the two L/R tanks under each wing that the MC-130's have? I know they AAR from the outer ones on the MC, but I guess that fuel can still be used by said Herc?

Thanks.

[Hunter49]

Great pic,s and scenery! The patches worn by the crew seems to look like part of a union jack ? Thanks Rob

[paddyboy]

Hi Matt

Stunning scenery: stunning shots and a great painted 'frame to boot

I would of course expect no less from a fellow Naaarridge Booy

Cheers and well done you

Paddyboy

[Matthew Clements]

Great pic,s and scenery! The patches worn by the crew seems to look like part of a union jack ? Thanks Rob

It appears on the flag of the state of Hawaii, it is a remnant of the British Empire's influence on Hawaiian history.

Cheers!

[Matthew Clements]

Very good set.

If they can be called out on SAR for that distance I wonder why they don't have the two L/R tanks under each wing that the MC-130's have? I know they AAR from the outer ones on the MC, but I guess that fuel can still be used by said Herc?

Thanks.

I think the acquisition of the HC-130J has taken longer than anticipated, the J will bring 40 percent increase in range over the HC-130H.

There was also a program running to replace the Center Wing Box on the HC-130H fleet, so I would imagine the two additional pods would increase fatigue.

HTH

[Blackcat1]

Beautiful set!! Surely not very wise to be looking at Facebook whilst flying though! ;-)

[Reach1985]

Old skool hercs and a nice paint job too! Super pics!!

[Duane Hewitt]

Stunners all of them!

[Alfie]

Wonderful set of pictures, thank you for sharing

[rusty1]

Brill photos

[donfairburn]

Great pics,see you caught Chinamans Hat in pic 4(Mokali'i)

[114PM]

Beautiful Congratulations!

[GhostFlight91]

Stunning