In mid-March 1997, the yacht Queen Charlotte was being skippered from New Zealand to Japan by Australian Bob Cornell, with four passengers. On 19 March, the yacht was located approximately 600 nm east of Cairns when it ran into Cyclone Justin and its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated. In response, Ben Charters and his crew from 37 Squadron flew A97-181 on a search-and-rescue mission. This episode details that mission and the consequent engine fire that caused the c...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 55
This episode features a wide-ranging discussion of the flight engineer category and its place on the C-130 Hercules. Tony Hall also covers his operational C-130 experience, along with his transition onto Caribous and then as a Loadmaster on C-130Js. The discussion ranges into: RAAF B-707 operations based in Kyrgyzstan (where Tony was an Operations Officer) Impact of the Safety system on Flight Engineer authorisations The latter years of C-130H operations in the RAAF RAAF consideration of having ...
May 31, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 54
Gav Nicholson recounts his involvement with systems integration on RAAF C-130Hs during the late 1990s to the late 2000s, including electronic warfare self-protection, the FMS-800 flight management system, and other modifications of that era. Also discussed are PNG operations, Operations Falconer (Iraq 2003), Shaddock (PNG), Catalyst (Iraq, as C-130J Detachment Commander) and a mission on Spitfire (East Timor) during which his crew flew an evacuation with 180 people onboard a C-130H.
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 53
Royal Australian Air Force C-130s airdrop parachutists and equipment to force project Australian military capabilities. C-130s flew in formation as a tactic to concentrate Army parachutists on a target area as quickly as possible (thereby minimising the risk to the paratroopers and aircraft). In this episode of 'Workhorse', Andrew "Stretch" Elliott discusses the many factors that formation lead pilots considered when leading C-130s to a formation airdrop. He also covers his experiences training ...
Mar 29, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 52
Graham 'Johno' 'Johno1' 'Kramer' Johnson flew C-130Hs on a variety of operations from 1989 to 1999, including Operations Solace (Somalia 1993), Immune (Pilot Strike 1989) and Ples Drei (PNG famine 1998), all of which he discusses in this episode. Johno also discusses the differences between pushing crew training to the boundaries of aircraft limits and when that transitions into unauthorised flying.
Mar 03, 2025•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 51
The Royal Australian Air Force's C-130J fleet was acquired in 1999, but it was not fitted with electronic warfare self-protection systems. When C-130Hs deployed to the Middle East in early 2003, 37 Squadron had only just begun training its C-130J crews in tactical procedures. Thus when Middle East operations were extended into 2004, 36 Squadron's C-130Hs remained in the Middle East on an extended deployment because there wasn't a replacement force. This placed great pressure on 36 Squadron's tra...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 50
Reports arising in 1996 from Australian-flagged fishing vessels indicated the presence of dozens of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing vessels in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. In response, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) sought an enforcement action and requested Defence assistance with search, reconnaissance and apprehension. The first of these ADF missions took place under the name Operation Dirk , and it was enabled by the install...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 49
The FMS-800 flight management system was installed on RAAF C-130Hs in 1999 under Project AIR 5195. The FMS-800 delivered a range of enhanced capabilities for C-130Hs making them even more ideally suited for the Airborne Operations and Special Operations support roles. These capabilities included GPS precision navigation, airdrop navigation, receiver autonomous-integrity monitoring (RAIM), jamming protection, and it was integrated with the Litton 92 inertial navigation system, APN-241 radar and t...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 48
On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale struck north of Simeulue Island in the Indian Ocean. The earthquake lifted an estimated 30 cubic kilometres of water which radiated from the epicentre devasting coastal communities around the Indian Ocean. Banda Aceh was hardest hit, and the RAAF responded immediately. This episode features 36 Squadron pilot Charlie Siedentopf who flew one of the first two RAAF C-130s into Banda Aceh. He recounts the devastation, suffering and...
Jan 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 47
WARNING: This episode discusses a graphic account of the 2002 Bali bombing and related PTSD issues. On 12 Oct 2002 two bombs exploded in the Kuta district, Bali, Indonesia, destroying two popular night clubs – Paddy’s Irish Bar and the nearby Sari Club – showering the patrons with shrapnel and causing fierce fires at both sites. More than 500 people were either killed or injured in the blasts; 202 died from their injuries (88 were Australian). RAAF C-130s were central to Australia's response, co...
Dec 27, 2024•54 min•Ep. 46
Royal Australian Air Force C-130s arrived in Doha 11 February 2003 to support Australian, US and Coalition efforts as part of the US-led invasion of Iraq. In this episode of 'Workhorse', Anthony 'Locky' Lock describes his role as a Liaison Officer supporting Australian Special Forces air mobility requirements during the early stages of Operation Falconer and his deployment on Operation Catalyst (mid-2004). In particular, he details his experience as the C-130H aircraft captain during the mission...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 45
In early January 2002, Rob 'Soky' Sokel captained the first RAAF C-130 mission to Afghanistan - under Operation Catalyst. In this episode you can hear Soky describing this epic mission with all its challenges: Scrounging for equipment Being hit by lightning Unable to pay contracted support agencies (loading and fuel) Making a wrong turn and being confronted by armed guards Running late for their slot time into the area of operations A leaking fuel tank A bombed out runway Failing communications ...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 44
On 2 July 1997 civil war erupted in Cambodia. Nations rushed to evacuate non-combatants. This episode details the Australian evacuation which was conducted by 36 Squadron, under the name Operation Vista. This marked the first use of C-130H electronic warfare equipment on an operation. The discussion with Dave Steel and Jon Kain focuses on the last flight of the operation which they flew in a thunderstorm using night vision goggles.
Nov 16, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 43
This episode features retired Air Commodore Richard 'Yoko' Lennon discussing his career along with C-130 operations in Bougainville (Lagoon, Usherette, and Bel Isi) and northern PNG in the aftermath of the 1998 tsunami at Sissano Lagoon (Operation Shaddock). Richard also discusses his command perspectives on Operations Padang Assist (2009) and Yasi Assist (2012), which took place while he was Officer Commanding 86 Wing.
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 42
This episode features the career of retired Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a C-130 E, H and J pilot who became Commanding Officer 37 Squadron and later Air Commander Australia. The discussion covers Australia's C-130 contributions to UN operations in East Timor during the latter half of 1999, as well as C-130J operations in the Middle East from 2003.
Oct 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 41
In this episode, John 'Jack' 'Axel' Foley discusses his career in the C-130 world, including: - Haybale drops during the 1990 floods - A very unique AME out of Mount Hagen, PNG - Op Vista - Command in the Middle East and at 285SQN
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 40
The Pong Su was a drug-running freighter that was chased down by Australian authorities and apprehended under the ADF's Operation Tartan (2003). That operation required 24/7 surveillance, and 36 Squadron participated by conducting two maritime surveillance missions with one of its C-130Hs (A97-006). In this episode, Nick McCowan relates his mission on Operation Tartan, along with tales from his RAF career and his time as a Special Operations Check Captain at 36 Squadron. (And, apologies for the ...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 39
This episode details the impact of John Howard's shift in defence strategy whereby the ADF was called upon to re-engage in a more forceful manner across the near region and globally. This eventually led to the ADF's long involvement in the Middle East. Concurrently, the C-130J was acquired and Tony Kempnich discusses the acquisition aspects as well training and OT&E of the new capability.
Sep 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 38
During the British Oxygen Company solo around-the-world yacht race, Isabelle Autissier departed the Kerguelen Islands on 17 December 1994, heading east to sail south of Australia. Her 60-foot boat, Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes II , sailed into stormy 60-knot winds and rough seas in the Southern Ocean, and both her masts snapped. She set off her EPIRB (emergency beacon) in the hope of being rescued. Dean 'T-bag' Tetley was the co-pilot on 37 Squadron's A97-167, and in this episode he recounts the ta...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 37
In late July 1995 a Japanese fishing trawler, the Zuiho Maru , was wrecked on tiny St Paul Island in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. 36SQN was tasked to search for survivors and provide aid. Don Sutherland was the mission commander for this epic search and rescue mission. He recounts the mission in detail, along with covering the highlights of his career: Operations in the first Gulf War while on exchange with the US Air Force, PNG operations, Commanding Officer 36SQN and Officer Comma...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 36
Under the Defence of Australia strategy of the 1980s and early 90s, Australia sought to maximise participation in UN operations. Paul 'Pearl' Nicholas (ex CO 36/37SQN) recounts his participation in UN flights to Africa (Ops Solace and Tamar), as well as his time in PNG and on exchange at Pope Air Force Base. Operations Lagoon (Bougainville), Carmine (Rabaul), Damask (Middle East) and Gemini (Cambodia) are also discussed.
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 35
This episode dives into the details of how the Special Operations role evolved within 36SQN during the 1980s and 90s. Greg Evans and John Samulski provide great insight into the reasons for developing the SPECOPS role and how it evolved over time in the Royal Australian Air Force. The discussion roams across the tactics techniques and procedures (TTPs), role equipment, exercises, and aircraft modifications of the that era, along with employment of the SPECOPS and ABNOPS capabilities....
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 34
Operations in the Southwest Pacific during the late 1980s and early-mid 90s are discussed with C-130 pilot Peter 'Wedge' Wood, along with his experiences in Papua New Guinea and as Officer Commanding 84 Wing. Additionally, Wedge's experiences of Operation Immune are discussed at length. Operations covered include: Delivery of riot gear to Port Vila Sailcloth - Vanuatu unrest Morris Dance - Fiji unrest Immune - 1989 Pilot strike
Jun 28, 2024•58 min•Ep. 33
Dave 'Richo' Richardson discusses a broad range of maintenance topics spanning the 1975-1997 era, including: Corrosion and Fatigue Boron fibre repairs C-130E wing repairs C-130E outer wing swap C-130H wing design Paint schemes Electronic warfare modifications Maintenance reorganisation Engine sulphidation Operating cost reductions (removing wing tanks from C-130Hs, lower TIT settings) The 'rank tank' Litton INS installations 24-ship formation NZ deep maintenance and the infamous flameouts...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 32
This episode explores the 'Defence of Australia' years and how this strategy impacted C-130 operations. The impact of the Dibb Review is also discussed.
Jun 01, 2024•15 min•Ep. 31
This short episode covers a few unique loads carried by Royal Australian Air Force C-130s in the 1970s and early 1980s. Included are: A bull taken to China The entombed warriors (China again) Stock to Tonga A 3-day trip for a croc A giant pig Darwin Beer Can Regatta and, F-111 maintenance into Johnston Atoll
May 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 30
This episode covers off on three airlift competitions that RAAF C-130s won on several occasions: Volant Rodeo, Bullseye, and Air Tattoo. The details are discussed with retired WOFF Gary 'Robbo' Robinson, an ex 36SQN Loadmaster. Of note, Robbo was a crewmember on the only RAAF contingent to ever win 'Best Wing '- the top prize at Rodeo. Robbo also discusses his role as part of the crew that flew the aircraft in this podcast's photo - featuring a C-130H doing a flare dump....
May 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 29
During the 1975-1986 era, the Australian Army reinvigorated Airborne Operations. With the drive to enhance airborne operations capabilities came the notion of operating C-130s into contested environments, and that meant improving RAAF C-130 tactics. Modern tactics development led 36SQN to consider electronic warfare, operating as low as they could, and using night vision goggles (NVGs). Retired Air Commodore John 'Sam' Samulski provides some insight into the tactics development of that era and h...
Apr 21, 2024•42 min•Ep. 28
The advent of the 1976 White Paper came with a reduction in the ADF's combat operations, and an emphasis on preparedness for the defence of Australia. As a result, the ADF put a great deal of energy into exercising and developing combat skills and proficiency. This effort led to the re-establishment of a permanent Regular Army airborne operations capability (first with 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, then 3 RAR) and along with those capabilities came C-130 tactics development. This is ...
Apr 06, 2024•28 min•Ep. 27
This episode covers unique operations of the 1975-1986 era. These missions are all reflective of the flexibility inherent in the C-130 and Australia’s growing dependence on the Hercules to deliver a variety of effects. The missions covered include: Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) of Tehran UN supply missions to the Middle East 1981 Qantas strike Intercepting a drug runner
Mar 22, 2024•19 min•Ep. 26
