30 years Belgian C-130H Hercules

The Belgian Air Force celebrated 30 years of flying with the C-130H Hercules in active duty. Reason enough to organise an International Open Door at the homebase of the Hercules-fleet, Brussel-Melsbroek. The remaining 11 from 12 delivered C-130H Hercules transport aircraft are assigned to 20 Smaldeel/15 Wing. One aircraft was written off due to an tragical crash at Eindhoven AB (the Netherlands) in 1996. One Hercules, serial CH-02, recieved special markings to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Unfortunately, this aircraft was parked between the spectators, with fences all around, making it impossible to take a good photograph. Many users of the Hercules were invited to come to the International Open Door on 28 and 29 September. An airshow wasn't possible at Brussel because the Air Force and cilvilian compagnies share the airport. the Portuguese Air Force, the Air National Guard, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the French Air Force came with one of their aicraft to Brussel-Melsbroek. All the aircraft were placed on the static together with several aircraft of 21 Smaldeel which recently recieved a couple of Embraer ERJ-135LR and two ERJ-145LR for VIP tasks. The retired SA.226 Merlin as well as the retired Hawker Siddely HS.248-2A were also parked on the static. Probably the last time to photograph these aircraft before the are sold.

The Belgian Air Force invited several users of this remarkable aircraft. One of the visitors was this Mississippi Air National Guard C-130H Hercules, serial 86-1391.

The Portuguese Air Force came with this C-130H, 16804. Esquadron 501 "Bisontes" (the Bisons) operate the C-130H and C-130H-30 Hercules to execute tactical air transport missions. They also fly Search and Rescue missions and support fire fighting missions. Esquadron 501 is based at Montijo, near Lisbon.

It was a short flight for the pilot of this Royal Netherlands Air Force C-130H-30 Hercules, serial G-273 "Ben Swagerman". The Dutch Hercules fleet is based at Eindhoven Air Base and both aircraft are assigned to 334 Squadron. Note the Arabian serial just below the serial.

The French Air Force showed up with this C-130H-30, 5140/61-PD. The Hercules belongs to ET.02.061.

Twelve Aircraft were delivered to the Belgian Air Force. All assigned to 20 Smaldeel /15 Wing. Unfortunately, one Hercules, the CH-06, was written off due to a crash at Eindhoven AB on 15 July 1996. The Hercules seen here is the CH-10.

This Explorer isn't a visitor. The aircraft and helicopters of the Belgian Gendarmerie or Rijkswacht are based at the military part of the airport. MD.900 Explorer, G-10, is on stand by waiting for an emergency call. A couple of minutes after this photograph was made, the G-10, departed for a mission.

The only Falcon 900B in service of the Belgian Air Force is the CD-01. The aircraft is used for VIP flight and is operated by 21 Smaldeel.

--- Another aircraft that is in use for VIP flight are the two Falcon 20's which also belong to 21 Smaldeel. The CM-01 was parked on the static.

The ERJ-135LR, CE-02, arrived at Brussel-Melsbroek on 20 August 2001. Two ERJ-135LR and two ERJ-145LR were ordered and delivered to the Belgian Air Force. They replaced the HS748-2A and the SA.226 Merlin. All the ERJ-135LR and ERJ-145LR were present at Brussel-Melsbroek.

Belgian Air Force Airbus A.310-225, CA-02, returned from a humanitarian mission to Albania. Two aircraft of this type are used for cargo- and passengerflights.