End of an era: C-130J Hercules makes final RAF flights

The RAF has flown the C-130J Hercules for the final time as the transport aircraft retires after 56 years of service. 

The last two flights took off from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning – heading to Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge to be sold off along with the rest of the Hercules fleet.

Known as the workhorse of the RAF, the transport aircraft has been used on operations across the globe.

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The Hercules' retirement was marked earlier this month with a spectacular seven-hour flypast across the UK.

Speaking to Forces News, Wing Commander James Sjoberg, Officer Commanding Number 47 Squadron said: "It's a moment tinged with sadness.

"The Hercules, over 56-and-a-half years, has been an amazing aircraft, it's been in the middle of almost every operation that the British Ministry of Defence has been involved in.

"It's meant that people throughout the whole of defence over all of those years have touched the Hercules, have been taken to operations, resupplied or brought back safely from operations and it's a really amazing aircraft that's right in the centre of the Air Force family."

Although the final flight was incredibly poignant, Wg Cdr Sjoberg said the focus was on making sure it was safe and enjoyable for everybody, adding: "I'm sure we might have a glass of Champagne later on this evening."