Workhorse - RAAF C-130s

This episode features the career of retired Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a C-130 E, H and J pilot who became Commanding Officer 37 Squadron and later Air Commander Australia. The discussion covers Australia's C-130 contributions to UN operations in East Timor during the latter half of 1999, as well as C-130J operations in the Middle East from 2003.

In this episode, John 'Jack' 'Axel' Foley discusses his career in the C-130 world, including: - Haybale drops during the 1990 floods - A very unique AME out of Mount Hagen, PNG - Op Vista - Command in the Middle East and at 285SQN

The Pong Su was a drug-running freighter that was chased down by Australian authorities and apprehended under the ADF's Operation Tartan (2003). That operation required 24/7 surveillance, and 36 Squadron participated by conducting two maritime surveillance missions with one of its C-130Hs (A97-006). In this episode, Nick McCowan relates his mission on Operation Tartan, along with tales from h...

This episode details the impact of John Howard's shift in defence strategy whereby the ADF was called upon to re-engage in a more forceful manner across the near region and globally. This eventually led to the ADF's long involvement in the Middle East. Concurrently, the C-130J was acquired and Tony Kempnich discusses the acquisition aspects as well training and OT&E of the new capabi...

During the British Oxygen Company solo around-the-world yacht race, Isabelle Autissier departed the Kerguelen Islands on 17 December 1994, heading east to sail south of Australia. Her 60-foot boat, Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes II , sailed into stormy 60-knot winds and rough seas in the Southern Ocean, and both her masts snapped. She set off her EPIRB (emergency beacon) in the hope of being rescued. D...

In late July 1995 a Japanese fishing trawler, the Zuiho Maru , was wrecked on tiny St Paul Island in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. 36SQN was tasked to search for survivors and provide aid.  Don Sutherland was the mission commander for this epic search and rescue mission. He recounts the mission in detail, along with covering the highlights of his career: Operations in the first Gulf Wa...

Under the Defence of Australia strategy of the 1980s and early 90s, Australia sought to maximise participation in UN operations. Paul 'Pearl' Nicholas (ex CO 36/37SQN) recounts his participation in UN flights to Africa (Ops Solace and Tamar), as well as his time in PNG and on exchange at Pope Air Force Base.  Operations Lagoon (Bougainville), Carmine (Rabaul), Damask (Middle East) and Ge...

This episode dives into the details of how the Special Operations role evolved within 36SQN during the 1980s and 90s.  Greg Evans and John Samulski provide great insight into the reasons for developing the SPECOPS role and how it evolved over time in the Royal Australian Air Force. The discussion roams across the tactics techniques and procedures (TTPs), role equipment, exercises, and aircraft mod...

Operations in the Southwest Pacific during the late 1980s and early-mid 90s are discussed with C-130 pilot Peter 'Wedge' Wood, along with his experiences in Papua New Guinea and as Officer Commanding 84 Wing. Additionally, Wedge's experiences of Operation Immune are discussed at length. Operations covered include: Delivery of riot gear to Port Vila Sailcloth - Vanuatu unrest Morris...

Dave 'Richo' Richardson discusses a broad range of maintenance topics spanning the 1975-1997 era, including: Corrosion and Fatigue Boron fibre repairs C-130E wing repairs C-130E outer wing swap C-130H wing design Paint schemes Electronic warfare modifications Maintenance reorganisation Engine sulphidation Operating cost reductions (removing wing tanks from C-130Hs, lower TIT settings) Th...

This episode explores the 'Defence of Australia' years and how this strategy impacted C-130 operations. The impact of the Dibb Review is also discussed.

This short episode covers a few unique loads carried by Royal Australian Air Force C-130s in the 1970s and early 1980s. Included are: A bull taken to China The entombed warriors (China again) Stock to Tonga A 3-day trip for a croc A giant pig Darwin Beer Can Regatta   and, F-111 maintenance into Johnston Atoll

This episode covers off on three airlift competitions that RAAF C-130s won on several occasions: Volant Rodeo, Bullseye, and Air Tattoo.  The details are discussed with retired WOFF Gary 'Robbo' Robinson, an ex 36SQN Loadmaster.  Of note, Robbo was a crewmember on the only RAAF contingent to ever win 'Best Wing '- the top prize at Rodeo. Robbo also discusses his role as part of...

During the 1975-1986 era, the Australian Army reinvigorated Airborne Operations. With the drive to enhance airborne operations capabilities came the notion of operating C-130s into contested environments, and that meant improving RAAF C-130 tactics. Modern tactics development led 36SQN to consider electronic warfare, operating as low as they could, and using night vision goggles (NVGs). Retired Ai...

The advent of the 1976 White Paper came with a reduction in the ADF's combat operations, and an emphasis on preparedness for the defence of Australia. As a result, the ADF put a great deal of energy into exercising and developing combat skills and proficiency. This effort led to the re-establishment of a permanent Regular Army airborne operations capability (first with 6th Battalion, Royal Au...

This episode covers unique operations of the 1975-1986 era. These missions are all reflective of the flexibility inherent in the C-130 and Australia’s growing dependence on the Hercules to deliver a variety of effects. The missions covered include: Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) of Tehran UN supply missions to the Middle East 1981 Qantas strike Intercepting a drug runner

This episode looks at a handful of Search and Rescue missions in the 1975-1986 era, including the Nocturne (which also featured Sir Angus Houston), Charleston , and Matina . The episode also discusses the development of the helibox and the air-sea rescue kit (ASRK).

From  the mid 1970s, Australia's defence strategy shifted to 'Defence of Australia'. This resulted in more domestically-focused tasking and support to the near region for disaster relief and SARs. This episode covers some of the Humanitarian Assistance  / Disaster Relief operations of that era, including the Moree Floods, Operation Ricebowl, and several cyclones.

This episode details the history of Royal Australian Air Force operations in Antarctica with a focus on RAAF C-130 involvement, including airdrops at Macquarie Island.

In the early 1980s, 36SQN supported the Forest Commission Victoria by installing and operating a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). This episode details the circumstances leading to this decision, the operations that ensued, and the reasoning behind the cessation of the aerial fire fighting role.

This Episode covers: The strategic circumstances that led to the RAAF's acquisition of the C-130H Technical upgrades that came with the C-130H Acquisition and the early training for the C-130H capability The C-130A disposal saga.

This episode covers a range of maintenance related tasks in the 1965-1975 era, including: Cargo Door bolt failures Boron Fibres Wing corrosion and cracking Bogging Rudder Kick-back This is the last episode for 2023. Workhorse will return mid-Jan 2024 on a bi-

This episode features Stu Bryce who was captain of A97-160 when it had a catastrophic engine failure half-way between Hawaii and Pago Pago in 1973.  Search and Rescue (SAR) doctrine is also covered, along with an explanation of why RAAF C-130s were given the SAR role in 1967.

Retired Warrant Officer and Flight Engineer Tony Ryan features in this episode which focuses on domestic Australian Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the early 1970s.  The large-scale floods of early 1971 and 1974 rivalled the floods of 2022. The ADF response was wide-ranging, including major commitments by RAAF C-130s and the introduction of hay bale dropping.  Cyclones...

This episode covers Airborne Operations training and development in the 1965-75 era. Of note, the Australian Army's return to mass airdrop was initiated by 6RAR and supported by 36SQN in this era.  Also covered is the role of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, along with a look at some of the HADR Operations of that era in places like Indonesia and PNG.