Yes, but C5 are limited by where they can land and take off. Not all strips can accommodate them by length or strength of tarmac. A C-130, by contrast, can land and take off from anywhere: a field, a dirt road, a two-lane highway, and any airstrip in the world.
Thus, taking a C130 for tactical movement makes sense, no?
@mordengeist - last 2 weeks I've been seeing a lot of C-17 Globemasters compared to C-130's. What do you think they're hauling? They seem considerably larger than the C-130, so are they moving vehicles in those things along with troops?
Gotta say: I cant say. Only thing I can allude to is it was during my time in Special Operations. Cant say where, when or for what...but it made my ass pucker and stomach lurch at the same time when we dropped in for a combat landing in under small arms fire (not heavy, but random). Nose of the plane was near straight down and ass straight up with last second hard flare as we hit dirt. Was pretty impressive maneuvering, albeit a pants-pissing moment if you weren't ready for it.....and I wasn't.
Sounds like pilots knew what they were doing and probably trained for such shit over and over. Or they had never thought of a situation like that and just said fuck it. But they have to calculate weight and other shit to make sure they don't get killed.
Yes, but C5 are limited by where they can land and take off. Not all strips can accommodate them by length or strength of tarmac. A C-130, by contrast, can land and take off from anywhere: a field, a dirt road, a two-lane highway, and any airstrip in the world.
Thus, taking a C130 for tactical movement makes sense, no?
Cred: 24 yrs retired Air Force (specialty C130's)
Tactical approaches are fun in C130s!
Thank you for your service!
@mordengeist - last 2 weeks I've been seeing a lot of C-17 Globemasters compared to C-130's. What do you think they're hauling? They seem considerably larger than the C-130, so are they moving vehicles in those things along with troops?
This is Nutnfancy isn't it
Laffed. Good one. Updoot.
Nah. Not even a little.
Gotta say: I cant say. Only thing I can allude to is it was during my time in Special Operations. Cant say where, when or for what...but it made my ass pucker and stomach lurch at the same time when we dropped in for a combat landing in under small arms fire (not heavy, but random). Nose of the plane was near straight down and ass straight up with last second hard flare as we hit dirt. Was pretty impressive maneuvering, albeit a pants-pissing moment if you weren't ready for it.....and I wasn't.
Tip of the spear, and thanks for maintaining the quiet professional.
Sounds like pilots knew what they were doing and probably trained for such shit over and over. Or they had never thought of a situation like that and just said fuck it. But they have to calculate weight and other shit to make sure they don't get killed.
Fair play mate. Massive respect to the boys and girls keeping us safe.
Upvote and thanks. Sounds hairy. I'd buy you a drink someday, in a better world.
I am hoping you get a gnarly JATO story in response....