Hercules lineup

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- C-130 Hercules sit on the ramp at a forward-deployed location supporting stabilization efforts inside Iraq. The aircraft are from the West Virginia Air National Guard's 130th Airlift Wing at Charleston. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Terry L. Blevins)

Southwest Asia sunset

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A row of C-130 Hercules are parked along the 485th Air Expeditionary Wing's ramp at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia. Seven C-130 units combined here to form the largest collection of the aircraft in the world, according to officials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Manuel Martinez)

Special delivery

A Ramstein Air Base, Germany, C-130E stands ready at Aviano Air Base, Italy to deliver an Army airborne unit into Bosnia for Rapid Resolve II, a show of force exercise, on July 17, 2000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Aaron D. Allmon II)

Off the beaten path

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Security forces members from the 786th Contingency Response Group veer off the road to avoid the dirt blown up by a C-130 aircraft leaving the airfield located in Northern Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed)

Thirsty Pave hawk

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A Special Operations HH-60G Pave Hawk and C-130 Hercules from the 301st Rescue Squadron conduct an aerial refueling April 6 at a forward deployed location in southern Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and bring an end to the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

Time to go

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Army soldiers board a C-130 Hercules at an undisclosed location on April 4. The Army is deployed here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is a multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and bring an end to the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Quinton T. Burris)