A few days ago, when our CA ANG C-130J from Channel Islands broke down in Guyana with engine and brake problems, I thought our trip was in jeapordy. But the mission commanders of Operation Southern Partner made a few calls and got the “Fighting 5-0″ to step in and help us continue the mission. The 50th Airlift Squadron from Little Rock AFB is currently stationed in Puerto Rico flew in to Grenada and has been our transport ship, moving Airmen and cargo from country to country so they can continue the ongoing exchanges between the US and partner countries. Yesterday the “Fighting 5-0″ (also known as “Red Devils”) flew a different kind of mission, one that gave them a chance to show off their true flying skills.

As usual, the day started fairly early. This time I got to sleep in a bit and didn’t have to show up till 0800! We all gathered up and proceeded to the Trinidad & Tobago Air Guard hangar. The mission today was to offer the Trinidad & Tobago Air Guard (TTAG) and local media an opportunity to do a low level familiarization flight over the two islands. 500 feet over the sapphire blue coastlines and lush green mountains. It was going to be a great ride.

But before the C-130E Hercules could launch, its’ crew did an intense preflight briefing and mission planning. Unfamiliar with the local airspace and traffic patterns, the crew worked closely with the TTAG pilots to plan a fun and safe route from Trinidad to Tobago and back.

While that was going on, numerous subject matter exchanges, ranging from Hangar Fire Suppression Systems, Crew Resource Management, and a C-26 (the TTAG’s primary aircraft) exchange.

Also during that time, the local media were able to interview key staff about the US Air Force mission here in Trinidad & Tobago.

Then it was time for the first of two flights to take off. This one had the media on board, while the second, which I would fly on, had approx 45 TTAG Airmen on board.

While the media flight was on it’s 45 min run, myself and TSgt Lee Hoover (our amazing AF videographer and a fellow blogger) and I were invited to the WO & Sgt Mess hall. And like Armed Forces around the world, you have to be personally invited to dine here. Lee and I were simply looking for a quick bite to eat during the down time, but when we entered the mess hall, we were seated at a formal table and served some amazing food. And afterall, it would be rude to not partake right? And I can honestly say, that was the best meal I have had on this island.

But then it was time to muster and head out to our flight which had just landed. We were going to “hot load” the pax with the engine running.

One by one we entered so as not to get blown over by the 4 powerful engines of the C-130.

Everyone seated and strapped in! Pose for a quick pic and it was ready to take off!

For many of these folks, it was their first time aboard a C-130. By all the smiles, I could tell they were having a great time.

Then I had a chance to see what the view was like from the flight deck. It was amazing. It seemed that we were just skimming the water and snaking the coastline. While we were at a safe altitude, seeing small boats and waves just below us was quite a rush.

And at times we were doing nearly 45 degree banking turns.

And before I knew it, it was time to strap back in and prepare for landing.

While the during the past week it was long, endless flights aboard tightly cramped C-130s, it was refreshing to be able to see the mighty C-130 in action low and fast! Thanks to the crew of the 50th AS for thier help in getting these shots!

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 4:45 am and is filed under Adventures, Aviation, Life, Photography. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.