Colchester flypast marks Hercules retirement June 2023

A dedicated servant of airborne forces has paid a farewell visit to Colchester’s paratroopers.

Three RAF C-130 Hercules flew over Merville Barracks today (Tue 13 Jun 2023) as part of a tour of the country taking in significant locations in the aircraft’s history as it retires from the Royal Air Force at the end of the month.

Since entering service in 1966, the transport aircraft has been the mainstay of the RAF’s air mobility fleet, used for parachuting, air despatch, and airlift missions. Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team have been frequent flyers in Hercules on exercises and operations around the globe, most recently during the evacuation of British civilians from Sudan in April and May 2023.

Soldiers gathered on the parade square to pay their respects to the aircraft as it flew over, with a salute fired by three 105mm Light Guns from 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in the aircraft’s honour.

The expertise acquired operating the Hercules and its broad range of capabilities is transitioning across to the RAF’s 22-strong A400M Atlas fleet and other aircraft, ensuring the Hercules’ legacy forged over the past 56 years will continue in future.