CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit
72 years of the Hercules! On August 23, 1954, the first Lockheed Hercules took flight from Burbank, California. More than seven decades later, the C-130 Hercules continues to serve – including in the fight against wildfires.
C-130H airtankers are used for rapid initial attack, delivering fire retardant to wildland fires. The first C-130H was put into service at AEU’s McClellan Airtanker Base on August 26, 2024. Today, these aircraft are strategically located throughout California and are an important part of the state’s aerial firefighting response.
Happy 72nd anniversary to the mighty Hercules!
