Nigerian AF acquires 3rd C-130H

The Nigerien Air Force (Armée de l’Air du Niger) has taken delivery of the third and final C-130H from the United States. On December 12, the aircraft completed an extensive four year overhaul with Sabena Aerospace in Brussels and departed for its delivery flight to Base Aérienne 101 (BA101) in Niamey/Diori Hamani, Niger. The C-130H, formerly designated as a WC-130H with the United States Air Force with the serial number 65-0985 and construction number 382-4140, will now be known as 5U-MTU within the Nigerien Air Force. It was a HC-130H that was converted into a WC-130H and had served with the 169th Operations Group of the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Think 985 was a 53rd, then a Reserve (815WRS) bird out of Keesler. 50+ years old and still flying after a hard life with the USAF.

To spend 4 years to rebuild it must have cost a ton of money.

I was stationed in Guam from April 1967 to April 1969 and part of the time I was in 605 MASS and worked on 79th ARRS and 54th WRS. 65-978 was an HC-130H and I THINK it had the Fulton Recovery installed. 65-985, and 66-225 (a P model with Benson tanks) I remember. Will have to check my pictures for the rest. Hard to believe 985 is still "hogging" it after 57 years. It wasn't worked as hard as a trash hauler doing touch and go's all its life.

C-130's are a great plane that always brought me home. Check out AC-130 69-6573 and you'll know what I mean.

The article is about Niger Air Force...not Nigerian Air Force....
Niger and Nigeria are two different countries

I was stationed in Guam from April 1967 to April 1969 and part of the time I was in 605 MASS and worked on 79th ARRS and 54th WRS. 65-978 was an HC-130H and I THINK it had the Fulton Recovery installed. 65-985, and 66-225 (a P model with Benson tanks) I remember. Will have to check my pictures for the rest. Hard to believe 985 is still "hogging" it after 57 years. It wasn't worked as hard as a trash hauler doing touch and go's all its life.

C-130's are a great plane that always brought me home. Check out AC-130 69-6573 and you'll know what I mean.

Sending a PM to ya.

Already noted in our database with pre-delivery photos:

https://www.c-130.net/aircraft-database ... file/7055/

FAN C-130H former #65-0985 returning from a 3h45 test flight with the callsign "BAF684" back to Brussels Zaventem Int'l Airport on August 25, 2022. [Photo by Jeremy De Winter]