September 14, 2021 |
It was billed as the Rally in the Rockies. It may as well have been called Rolling Thunder in the Rockies.
A military exercise that tested the precision landing skills of Air Force pilots made for an historical and a whole lot patriotic excitement north of Rawlins Monday morning. Bigfoot 99’s Cali O’Hare was there and filed this report.
Pictured above: The C130 prepares to land on Highway 287 just north of Rawlins Monday morning. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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The United States military made history yesterday when it landed a C-130 aircraft on Highway 287 north of Rawlins during a joint training exercise. Moments after sunrise, the cargo plane burst through storm clouds to the east of the roadway at about 240 miles per hour. 500 feet off each wingtip was an A10. Known also as “flying guns,” A10’s are the Air Force’s primary low-altitude close support aircraft. Until yesterday, the Air Force had never landed a C130 on a roadway, although two A10’s landed on a Michigan highway earlier this month. Prior to that, such a feat had only been done in Estonia during the Cold War. With a wingspan of more than 132 feet, the four-engine C130 is over 97 feet long and has a 42,000 pound payload. It’s manned by a five-person crew including two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer and loadmaster. The US military has used the C130 since 1956 as a troop, medevac and cargo transport aircraft. It is designed for landings and takeoffs on short, unprepared airstrips in combat zones. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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The C130 prepares to land on Highway 287 just north of Rawlins Monday morning.
With a wingspan of more than 132 feet, the four-engine C130 is over 97 feet long and has a 42,000 pound payload. It’s manned by a five-person crew including two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer and loadmaster. The US military has used the C130 since 1956 as a troop, medevac and cargo transport aircraft. It is designed for landings and takeoffs on short, unprepared airstrips in combat zones. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon watches intently as the C130, escorted by two A10's, bursts through the storm clouds to the east of Highway 287.
Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Members of the Armed Forces celebrate with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon moments after the historic landing. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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With a wingspan of more than 132 feet, the four-engine C130 is over 97 feet long and has a 42,000 pound payload. It’s manned by a five-person crew including two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer and loadmaster. The US military has used the C130 since 1956 as a troop, medevac and cargo transport aircraft. It is designed for landings and takeoffs on short, unprepared airstrips in combat zones. Photo by Randy Cragoe courtesy to Bigfoot 99.
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On each A10 is a fearsome, GAU-8 Avenger gatling-style gun designed to fire armor-piercing and highly explosive incendiary rounds with stunning accuracy. The pilots of the A10’s are protected by titanium up to 1.5-inches thick. Following the beam approach the C130 began its descent, southbound over the highway. The A10’s broke off, and began orbiting overhead, ready to engage any potential threats. Photo by Randy Cragoe courtesy to Bigfoot 99.
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On each A10 is a fearsome, GAU-8 Avenger gatling-style gun designed to fire armor-piercing and highly explosive incendiary rounds with stunning accuracy. The pilots of the A10’s are protected by titanium up to 1.5-inches thick. Following the beam approach the C130 began its descent, southbound over the highway. The A10’s broke off, and began orbiting overhead, ready to engage any potential threats. Photo by Randy Cragoe courtesy to Bigfoot 99.
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Moments after sunrise, the cargo plane burst through storm clouds to the east of the roadway at about 240 miles per hour. 500 feet off each wingtip was an A10. Known also as “flying guns,” A10’s are the Air Force’s primary low-altitude close support aircraft. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Members of the Armed Forces, including Master Sergeant Scott Klobucher, the 327th Airlift Squadron loadmaster who spent the last four months orchestrating Monday’s landing (far left) celebrate with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon (far right) moments after the historic landing. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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A group walks southbound on a wet Highway 287 ahead of Monday's historic landing.
The Air Force first had to make sure the highway could withstand an aircraft landing. Core samples were taken from two dozen locations along this stretch of roadway. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Members of the Armed Forces and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon listen as Master Sergeant Scott Klobucher explains the purpose of a "beam approach" is to scan for adversaries and potential danger on the ground before a landing takes place. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Wyoming and Carbon County dignitaries photograph the C130 and the two A10's during the initial flyover, called a "beam approach." It's a technique used to scan for adversaries and potential danger on the ground before a landing takes place. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
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Speaking to Bigfoot 99 moments after the C130 touched down, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said the exercise is a good reminder that the United States military is always prepared for a fight. Photo by Cali O'Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Related: Highway 287 scheduled to close for military training exercise