A United States Air Force
Materiel Command standards and evaluation civilian pilot has clocked an incredible 10,000 flight hours over this 41-year career flying various C-130
Hercules tactical airlifters. Meanwhile,

the global C-130J Super Hercules has recently surpassed 3 million flight hours
. The

C-130 is famous for its incredible versatility
and has been adapted to serve many roles in the US Air Force.

10,000 hours flying the Hercules

According to an Air Force statement, pilot Gary Hogg surpassed 10,000 flight hours
on September 24, 2024, while flying an MC-130H II Hercules during a routine avionics modernization program test. He is believed to have been the first pilot to have passed the milestone in the Hercules. He now serves as the lead for the tanker, transport, and bomber teams in an Air Force Materiel Command unit.

A 96th Test Wing maintainer helps 11-year-old Anthony Lindstrom marshal in his grandfather and pilot, Gary Hogg,

Photo: Samuel King Jr. 96th Test Wing l US Air Force

That is an astounding amount of time spent flying—the equivalent of 416 days of straight flying or over a year nonstop (a year has 8,760 hours). He has likely flown more than 2 million miles in the aircraft, flying an average of around 243 hours a year.

Hogg reflected, “It’s a milestone in a career I never knew was possible, but I am so thankful I had the chance to live it. When I stop to think about the last 40-plus years, I know I have truly been blessed.”

“I have the opportunity to test new models and capabilities, I get to accomplish even more with the C-130. Each model and variant can execute so many different missions, it is impossible to get bored with doing the same thing all the time.”- Greg Hogg

Gary Hogg, Air Force Materiel Command, inspects his C-130H

Photo: Samuel King Jr. 96th Test Wing l US Air Force

In 2004, he retired from his active-duty position as a lieutenant colonel and then took up his second career as a civilian, where he continued to perform the same role. He has now been a civilian pilot flying the Hercules for another 20 years.

He is described as having a wealth of knowledge, having flown

every C-130 Hercules variant over the years
.

A 41-year career and counting

Gary Hogg has so far had a 41-year career and is now 65 years old. He flew his first C-130 on November 23, 1983, at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas during a qualification training flight. Two days after completing his aircraft training, he was deployed on a flying rotation of Europe (which was during the Cold War); according to Mr. Hogg, that was when he fell in love with the C-130. He had previously wanted to fly the A-10 Warthog or the McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II.

“It was more than adventure. I knew the C-130 was the right decision for me. I loved the concept of flying with a crew and the way everyone worked together to get the mission done.” – Gary Hogg

Gary Hogg’s most hair-raising experience came in 1993 when he flew his MC-130E to support 14 MH-53 Pave Low helicopters as they flew to Haiti during heavy thunderstorms. Hogg and his crew had to search for a lost helicopter, refuel it, and ensure it could land safely. His Hercules was also low on fuel and had to land in Key West.

Gary Hogg, Air Force Materiel Command, completes his C-130H preflight checks prior to a historic flight Sept. 24, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

Photo: Samuel King Jr. 96th Test Wing l US Air Force

The storm had knocked out the power on the island, and his first two attempts at landing were unsuccessful. Running on fumes, his aircraft only had enough fuel for one more landing attempt, and fortunately, that worked.

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