Last flight of the Belgian Air Force C-130H Hercules.

According to information published by the Belgian Air Component on December 16, 2021, the Farewell C-130 military transport aircraft was scheduled to make its last flight on Friday, December 17, after a career of fifty years with the 20th Squadron of the 15th Airlift Wing based in Melsbroek (Brussels).

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Farewell C-130 military transport aircraft (Picture source: Belgian Air Force)

The Belgian Air Component (COMOPSAIR being the HQ) is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Until January 2002, it was officially known as the Belgian Air Force. COMOPSAIR (Command of Air Operations) has been operating the "Mighty Herc" for nearly 50 years.in the framework of the 15th Air Transport Wing based at Melsbroek Air Base, has started to replace them with seven Airbus A400M transport aircraft.

The Airbus A400M Atlas designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities is progressively replacing older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 in the French and German air forces.

Melsbroek Air Base is a Belgian Air Component facility located in Steenokkerzeel, 6.5 NM northeast of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. It is located on the northern side of the same site as Brussels Airport, with which it shares runways and ground and air control facilities.