Workhorse - RAAF C-130s
"Workhorse" is a podcast about Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from their earliest history through to modern times. The series is based on the soon to be released book “Air Mobility Workhorse”, which will be available from Big Sky Publishing.
Topics include:
- Operations from around the globe, including all four corners of the planet, from 1959 to now
- Aircraft technical discussions
- Training
- Roles (Search and Rescue, Air Logistics, Airborne Operations, Special Operations, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, Surveillance, Non-combatant Evacuation, Aeromedical Evacuation and Firefighting)
- Maintenance and modifications
- Logistics
- And, of course, the people that made it all possible.
Episodes
52 episodes
Workhorse - E52 - Formation Lead with Andrew Elliott
Royal Australian Air Force C-130s airdrop parachutists and equipment to force project Australian military capabilities. C-130s flew in formation as a tactic to concentrate Army parachutists on a target area as quickly as possible (thereby minim...
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Episode 52
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1:25:16
Workhorse - E51 - Somalia and PNG with Graham Johnson
Graham 'Johno' 'Johno1' 'Kramer' Johnson flew C-130Hs on a variety of operations from 1989 to 1999, including Operations Solace (Somalia 1993), Immune (Pilot Strike 1989) and Ples Drei (PNG famine 1998), all of which he discusses in this episod...
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Episode 51
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2:17:25
Workhorse - E50 - C-130J Goes Tactical with Justin Ryder
The Royal Australian Air Force's C-130J fleet was acquired in 1999, but it was not fitted with electronic warfare self-protection systems. When C-130Hs deployed to the Middle East in early 2003, 37 Squadron had only just begun training its C-13...
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Episode 50
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1:34:32
Workhorse - E49 - Extended Range Surveillance with Michael Phillips
Reports arising in 1996 from Australian-flagged fishing vessels indicated the presence of dozens of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing vessels in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. In response, ...
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Episode 49
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1:29:44
Workhorse - E48 - Test Flight at the North Pole with Matt Hegarty
The FMS-800 flight management system was installed on RAAF C-130Hs in 1999 under Project AIR 5195. The FMS-800 delivered a range of enhanced capabilities for C-130Hs making them even more ideally suited for the Airborne Operations and ...
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Episode 48
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1:19:18
Workhorse - E47 - 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami with Charlie Siedentopf
On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale struck north of Simeulue Island in the Indian Ocean. The earthquake lifted an estimated 30 cubic kilometres of water which radiated from the epicentre devasting coastal commu...
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Episode 47
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55:06
Workhorse - E46 - 2002 Bali Bombing with Peter Kennedy
WARNING: This episode discusses a graphic account of the 2002 Bali bombing and related PTSD issues.On 12 Oct 2002 two bombs exploded in the Kuta district, Bali, Indonesia, destroying two popular night clubs – Paddy’s Irish Bar and the n...
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Episode 46
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54:07
Workhorse - E45 - Taking fire in Iraq with Anthony Lock
Royal Australian Air Force C-130s arrived in Doha 11 February 2003 to support Australian, US and Coalition efforts as part of the US-led invasion of Iraq. In this episode of 'Workhorse', Anthony 'Locky' Lock describes his role as a...
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Episode 45
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1:21:08
Workhorse - E44 - Afghanistan Jan 2002 with Rob Sokol
In early January 2002, Rob 'Soky' Sokel captained the first RAAF C-130 mission to Afghanistan - under Operation Catalyst. In this episode you can hear Soky describing this epic mission with all its challenges:Scrounging for equipmen...
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Episode 44
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1:09:20
Workhorse - E43 - OP Vista - Cambodia - with Dave Steel and Jon Kain
On 2 July 1997 civil war erupted in Cambodia. Nations rushed to evacuate non-combatants. This episode details the Australian evacuation which was conducted by 36 Squadron, under the name Operation Vista. This marked the first use o...
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Episode 43
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1:18:32
Workhorse - E42 - PNG Tsunami and Bougainville with Richard Lennon
This episode features retired Air Commodore Richard 'Yoko' Lennon discussing his career along with C-130 operations in Bougainville (Lagoon, Usherette, and Bel Isi) and northern PNG in the aftermath of the 1998 tsunami at Sissano Lagoon (Operat...
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Episode 42
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1:28:14
Workhorse - E41 - Timor and Middle East with Darren Goldie
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 ...
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Episode 41
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1:07:32
Workhorse - E40 - Haybales and AME with Jack Foley
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
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Episode 40
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1:15:02
Workhorse - E39 - MARSURV vs the Pong Su with Nick McCowan
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 conduc...
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Episode 39
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1:04:36
Workhorse - E38 - Late 90s Strategy and C-130J Acquisition with Tony Kempnich
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 Midd...
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Episode 38
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54:33
Workhorse - E37 - Isabelle Autissier SAR with Dean Tetley
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 ...
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Episode 37
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1:20:23
Workhorse - E36 - RAAF C-130s - Zuiho Maru SAR with Don Sutherland
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...
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Episode 36
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1:06:11
Workhorse - E35 - PNG and UN Ops 1987-97 with Paul Nicholas
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), a...
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Episode 35
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1:40:12
Workhorse - E34 - Special Ops Development with Greg Evans and John Samulski
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 ev...
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Episode 34
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1:37:30
Workhorse - E33 - OPs Sailcloth - Morris Dance - Immune with Peter Wood
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 o...
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Episode 33
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58:02
Workhorse - E32 - Maintenance 1975-1997 with David Richardson
Dave 'Richo' Richardson discusses a broad range of maintenance topics spanning the 1975-1997 era, including:Corrosion and FatigueBoron fibre repairsC-130E wing repairsC-130E outer wing swapC-130H ...
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Episode 32
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1:02:55
Workhorse - E31 - Strategic Circumstances from mid 70s - mid 90s
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.
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Episode 31
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14:54
Workhorse - E30 - Unique Loads of the 70s
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 ChinaThe entombed warriors (China again)Stock to TongaA ...
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Episode 30
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16:54
Workhorse - E29 - Airlift Competitions with Gary Robinson
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.&nbs...
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Episode 29
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36:27
Workhorse - E28 - Tactics and NVGs - with John Samulski
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-...
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Episode 28
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42:03