When we remember
Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, nobody including most of
Argentina inhabitants knows the missions flown by
Argentina Air Force LOCKHEED C-130 Hercules for that historical military
international event in 1991.
The first deployment
happened in order to bring a Argentina Navy helicopter (Allouette) for an
Argentine Frigate (ARA Almirante Brown) already working together with the US
NAVY to enforce the economic blockade
issued by UNITED NATIONS resolution from the U.N. Security Council on
the Gulf waters.
Once that mission was
accomplished after many delays, the argentine C130 crew found himself
evacuating diplomatic dignitaries in Persian Gulf surrounding countries, before
the war was officially declared. The hostilities found Argentine Air Force,
tail number TC-69 (KC-130H) in midair on his way from Cairo Intl, Egypt to
Pisa, Italy.
They were informed that
the first waves of the coalition air attacks were already returning to their
home bases after a successful attack to Bagdad.
Because of coalition
regulations and lack of countermeasures TC-69 kept flying to the last day of the
war, but only at night, to avoid becoming a target.
One of the loadmasters
of TC-69, decided to paint a giant Batman Sign on the plane, to let everybody
know they were the Argentinean Bats, flying only night missions.
From January 10th to
January 30th 1991 the Argentinean C130´s
played their humble role only after 9 years after the Malvinas War
in1982.
Faithful to the 1st
Squadron motto ( Lockheed C-130 Squadron): “ …We fly so others may live…”
