Hard to imagine this HC-130P 64-14864/FL (c/n 4097) is 43 years older than the previous USAF Herc! Talk about a successful design! This oldie belongs to the 39RQS of the 920RQW, AFRC (Patrick AFB). First flown in 1964, the HC-130P Combat King aircraft has served many roles and missions. Based on the C-130E airframe, it was modified to conduct search and rescue missions, provide a command and control platform, conduct in-flight refueling of helicopters, and carry supplemental fuel in additional internal cargo bay fuel tanks for extending range or air refueling.

New HC-130J's will take over the role of the antique HC-130P's, of which still 36 airframes are active. The P's will retire around 2013 and end up in the desert after a long service life, that brought them to Vietnam, Iraq and all what was in between.

UPDATE: Retired to AMARG in September 2015, together with 64-14853, 65-0970 and 65-0976. 'Corrosion problems' reported.