IAF recently returned to Romania for joint exercises.

[maurits]

AF C-130 Hercules "Karnaf" crews practice flying in mountainous terrain, volatile weather
Date: 15/08/2011, 1:20 PM Author: IDF Website

For the first time since an Israel Air Force Sikorsky CH-53 crashed in Romania during a training mission last year, the IAF recently returned to Romania for joint exercises.

Six IAF airmen and a Romanian soldier were killed in the July 2010 accident.

"In the past year, the friendship between us has become a brotherhood," said Romanian General Alexander Glushka, the head of the Romanian Air Force's training squadron. "This cooperation is very important to us."

Earlier this month, IAF C-130 Hercules "Karnaf" aircraft departed Israel for two weeks of intensive training in the skies over Romania and the Carpathian Mountains.

The IAF Karnaf crews had to cope with Romania's complex topography and volatile weather. They practiced navigating through mountainous terrain and ravines.

"The Karnaf is unusual in this regard," said an IAF airman that participated in the exercise. "When you talk about a transport plane, everyone thinks of an El Al Boeing that transports passengers. Those flights are very comfortable and at high altitude, with newspapers and coffee. But the Karnaf was built from the start to be a tactical transport aircraft - a plane that navigates and flies through unfriendly territory carrying fighters."




"We must never stop training here"

In the wake of last year's accident, it was decided that Sikorsky CH-35 would not participate in this summer's exercise. But the Carpathian Mountaints are dangerous for C-130 Hercules planes as well.

"During various special operations, we understood that the C-130 Hercules "Karnaf" crews need these special training exercises," said Delegation Commander Lt. Col. Yinon. "What you practice is what you know to do. Which is exactly why we must never stop training here," he stressed.

"Romania's topography is very different than that of Israel which is why it enables a wide range of activities," said Lt. Col. Yinon, "there are many things that we can practice only here. Flying in areas with high mountains is essential due to the different arenas we must operate in to defend Israel."

Lt. Col. Yinon explained that, "the Karnaf is involved in almost every IDF and IAF operation in enemy territory. In order to operate everywhere in the world, we must master skills that cannot be acquired by training in Israel alone. "

source:
http://www.idf.il/1086-12739-EN/Dover.aspx

Identified C-130Hs on video are 305,309 and 310 from 103/131sq.

Regards,

Maurits