An aircrew operated a C-130H Hercules with the 136th Airlift Wing of the Texas Air National Guard at Fort Worth at Young Air Assault Strip on South Post for multiple exercise scenarios on July 16, 2019, at Fort McCoy, Wis.
The activity was part of the Patriot North 2019 exercise that took place at Volk Field and Fort McCoy.
More than 700 civilians, volunteers, and National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from more than 20 states supported the 2019 exercise.
Using its aft loading ramp and door, the C-130 can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, including everything from utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles to standard palletized cargo and military personnel, according to the Air Force fact sheet for the C-130. In an aerial delivery role, it can airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds or use its high-flotation landing gear to land and deliver cargo on rough, dirt strips.
The flexible design of the Hercules enables it to be configured for many different missions, allowing one aircraft to perform the role of many, the fact sheet states. Much of the special mission equipment added to the Hercules is removable, allowing the aircraft to return to its cargo delivery role if desired. Additionally, the C-130 can be rapidly reconfigured for the various types of cargo such as palletized equipment, floor-loaded material, airdrop platforms, container delivery system bundles, vehicles and personnel or aeromedical evacuation.
This C-130H and aircrew completed airdrops, dirt strip landings, and more for the Patriot North exercise.
Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.
The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.
Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”