The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is one of the most versatile and enduring military transport aircraft ever built. Since its introduction in the mid-1950s, the C-130 has served in over 70 countries, performing missions ranging from tactical airlift and aerial refueling to search and rescue, special operations, and even airborne gunship roles.
Nicknamed the “Hercules,” it is renowned for its ruggedness, reliability, and ability to operate from short, unpaved runways, making it indispensable in both combat and humanitarian missions.
 
General Information
Manufacturer: Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin)
Role: Tactical airlift, multi-role transport
First Flight: August 23, 1954
Entered Service: December 1956 (U.S. Air Force)
Crew (standard transport): 4–6
Pilot
Co-pilot
Navigator
Flight Engineer
Loadmaster(s) (one or two, depending on mission)
Primary Users: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and more than 60 allied nations