RAF Hercules retirement flypast: Watch video of historic moment as trio fly over Aldergrove in Northern Ireland

​RAF personnel at Aldergrove stood to attention today to bid a fond farewell to a faithful servant of 56 years standing - the C130 Hercules.
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By Philip Bradfield
Published 14th Jun 2023, 17:27 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2023, 10:25 BST

A lone piper played Auld Lang Syne as three of the iconic aircraft flew over Aldegrove as part of their farewell circuit of the UK.

Wing Commander Jacqueline Rankin, head of engagement with the RAF in Northern Ireland, was there for the historic occasion.

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"It was nice to be up at Aldergrove again today to say farewell for the C-130 final farewell flypast," she said. "And it was great to see all the RAF [personnel] out on the ramp to say farewell.

An excellent shot of the three Hercules as they flew over Aldergrove today as part of a UK-wide retirement flight today. Photo: Noel Eakin.An excellent shot of the three Hercules as they flew over Aldergrove today as part of a UK-wide retirement flight today. Photo: Noel Eakin.
An excellent shot of the three Hercules as they flew over Aldergrove today as part of a UK-wide retirement flight today. Photo: Noel Eakin.

"I think it's a sad day to see. It's been around for such a long time - 56 years - but we do have a very capable aircraft already replacing the Hercules which is the Atlas A400M.

"And of course we've seen that over in Northern Ireland during COVID Where it helped move four critically ill patients across to East Midlands Airport."

On Tuesday, Ray Burrows MBE, Chairman of the Ulster Aviation Society at Long Kesh, said the aircraft played a critical role in the Troubles, in connecting the armed forces here with Northern Ireland.

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"The Hercules have been flying into Aldergrove for 50 years," he told the News Letter. "They are one of the mainstays of the RAF with a fantastic safety record. I don't know how many million miles they must have flown in service of the RAF.

A Hercules flypast took place at Aldergrove, Co Antrim today to mark the forthcoming retirement of the aircraft from the RAF after 56 years of service.A Hercules flypast took place at Aldergrove, Co Antrim today to mark the forthcoming retirement of the aircraft from the RAF after 56 years of service.
A Hercules flypast took place at Aldergrove, Co Antrim today to mark the forthcoming retirement of the aircraft from the RAF after 56 years of service.

"During the Troubles the Hercules were in and out of Northern Ireland virtually on a daily basis every day for 30 years.”

"This was a period whenever things would not have been moved by road transport – so the only option was to fly them in.

"They were used to bring in all sorts of equipment, troops and even helicopters. They would have been used basically in every operation to do with the military here."

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The first Hercules arrived at Marshall’s of Cambridge in December 1966. Since entering RAF service at RAF Thorney Island in West Sussex, it has operated right across the globe in support of UK military and humanitarian relief operations.

An RAF C130-J Hercules lands at Camp Bastion, Southern Afghanistan. On Wednesday 14 June three of them flew over Aldergrove as part of a day-long UK wide flight path to mark their retirement.An RAF C130-J Hercules lands at Camp Bastion, Southern Afghanistan. On Wednesday 14 June three of them flew over Aldergrove as part of a day-long UK wide flight path to mark their retirement.
An RAF C130-J Hercules lands at Camp Bastion, Southern Afghanistan. On Wednesday 14 June three of them flew over Aldergrove as part of a day-long UK wide flight path to mark their retirement.

The aircraft will continue operating in support of UK defence objectives until the end of June.

As part of their UK wide tour today, the trio of aircraft departed RAF Valley in Wales at 11:22am, arrived at Aldergrove at 11:48am and then arrived at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland at 12:51.