The C-130 Hercules aircraft, a fundamental piece in countless missions of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), was honored in a series of significant events in its farewell. A commemorative jump, a symbolic flight, a documentary and the installation of a monument were some of the actions carried out last week in recognition of this icon of world military aviation, serving in Brazil since 1965.
As reported by our partner site Aeroin, the ceremony commemorating the 59th anniversary of the First Transport Group (1º/1º GT) – «Esquadrão Gordo» and the operational legacy of the C-130 Hercules took place on Thursday, February 29, at the Galeão Air Base (BAGL), in Rio de Janeiro.
To celebrate this historic moment, military personnel from different generations who served in the wings of the Hercules participated in the ceremony, presided by Air Lieutenant-Brigadier Sergio Roberto de Almeida and with the participation of several authorities. During the ceremony, former Esquadrão Gordo commanders and a select group of C-130 crew members were decorated with a symbolic souvenir.
The successor
Developed by Embraer for similar operational requirements, the KC-390 Millennium takes on the challenge of continuing the successes and operational legacy achieved by the C-130 throughout its 370,000 flight hours in the Brazilian Air Force.
To symbolize the «transition of service», the overflight of a C-130 Hercules and a KC-390 Millennium at BAGL marked the farewell event. In addition, during the ceremony, the C-130 Hercules landed at BAGL, followed by the KC-390 aircraft, a moment that touched everyone present and will be recorded in history.
Legacy and memories
In his speech, the Commander of the 1st/1st GT, Lt. Col. Airman Umile Coelho Rende, highlighted how the Squadron’s history is closely linked to the Hercules and how significant its legacy is for the FAB and Brazilian society. «Remembering everything we lived aboard this imposing four-engine, all the experiences shared with our uniform mates, all the challenges overcome in various overseas frontiers, all the history built in these 59 years, we categorically state: this aircraft represents us!», he expressed.
With outstanding achievements in Peace Operation missions in Haiti, humanitarian support to neighboring countries such as Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, search for Gol 1907 and Air France 447 in the Atlantic Ocean, fighting forest fires in Chile and Colombia, support to all the entities of the Brazilian federation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, among many other stories, the pride of the First Transport Group was expressed by pilots of past and contemporary generations in paying tribute to the aircraft.
The former commander of Esquadrão Gordo from 1987 to 1989 and one of the honorees at the ceremony, Air Major-Brigadier Cezar Ney Britto de Mello, stated that the C-130 was a love he had since his days as a young cadet. «In the first year of the School, in Campo dos Afonsos, I was assigned to come here to the Galeão Air Base for the reception ceremony of the C-130s acquired by the Air Force. This aircraft was a turning point for the FAB, which at the time was practically relying on twin-engine C-47s. The acquisition of these first five aircraft that arrived was a giant step forward for the Air Force in its operational capacity,» he said.
«This celebration is important both for the airmen who had the opportunity to fly the C-130 and for the country. In these 59 years, this aircraft was wherever Brazil needed it, in peace missions, rescue of nationals, search and rescue, fighting fires, in missions in the Amazon, playing a role in integration, supplying Air Defense, among other diverse missions. All the pilots who had the opportunity to fly the C-130 feel a great pride in their hearts for having served Brazil through this aircraft, performing great air missions», said Air Major-Brigadier José Madureira Junior, who flew the aircraft on that occasion.
History in the FAB
The Hercules was incorporated to the FAB aircraft fleet in the second half of 1964, in the C-130E version and, over the years, received the SC-130E (Search and Rescue/Reconnaissance), C-130H and KC-130H (In-Flight Refueling) models.
In 1983, the C-130 Hercules began to perform missions in support of PROANTAR, contributing since then to the development of scientific research in the Antarctic Continent, totaling nearly 400 missions. Also noteworthy are the humanitarian missions in Congo in 2003, El Salvador in 2005, Haiti between 2009 and 2017, Peru in 2017 and Chile in 2010. The Fire Fighting in Flight missions in Chile in 2014, 2017 and 2023.
In Operation COVID, the Hercules transported almost 2 million kilograms of cargo (various hospital supplies and materials), 640,000 liters of oxygen (O²) and more than 20 Oxygen Plants.
