Watch These C-130s Land on a Highway in Arkansas!

The 189th Airlift Wing recently conducted multiple landings and take-offs with a C-130H on Highway 63 in Bono, Arkansas. The closed 3-mile portion of the highway provided 5,000 feet of space to be used as a landing strip.

The training exercise simulates operations on a non-traditional runway, such as in humanitarian or disaster relief to an area with limited accessibility. In less than two hours, 8 pilots accomplished the landings nd takeoffs.

An AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship from the 1st Special Operations Wing also participated, as part of Air Force exercise Operation Emerald Warrior.

🎥 credit 189th AW & Arkansas DOT

[airliftwing]

Glad you all are enjoying the video! We (the 189th AW Public Affairs Teams) think you'd also enjoy the extended cut of 360 video on our channel!

[MartinP]

I have been watching these great airplanes since my father flew on them in the late fifties. What an iconic aircraft.

[Alas-xjcr]

When the national highway system was proposed in Eisenhower's administration it was the intent to include straight sections of highway for the express purpose of using it as an emergency runway in the event of war.

[gscott]

Exercises like this provide training for everyone from the crews to the local police, and it even provides the local people with an understanding of what our military can do to provide fast response in a crisis. Contrary to comments, Helos have limited lift capability and delivery of things such as mobile medical stations and/or vehicles is far better done by aircraft. Plus relying on ONLY helos is always risky. Spreading the support out provides a wider variety of support. Never put all your eggs in one basket.

[larrybaker]

I flew from DaNang to Tan Son Nhut in 1971, 1 wicked cool aircraft, we had lots of them at DaNang.I live in NW Ark. and we get C-130's several times a year overhead, also an occasional Chinook, Blackhawk, and even some Marine Osprey ....reminds me of my USAF days 1968-71, you can always tell when military flies overhead by the sound.

[bfreeman]

I'm amazed the Arkansas State Police didn't try to PIT them...

[seanmullins]

Quite possibly the greatest all around military aircraft ever!

[jamesallen]

Great video and hats off to the pilots 👍

[heroknaderi]

Cool . These straight sections of highway make perfect emergency runways for airplanes ✈️ as long as the sides are clear of obstacles for the wings

[the_lost_navigator]

Interesting to see, thanks for sharing this.
Ive been lucky ti see thr C130 (strix) low fly through the Welsh mountains, with airmen sat on the open ramp! What a sight.

[richardingraham-yysz]

Thumbs up what I see 130 great landing. Also seen a video of a C-130 landing on a aircraft carrier pretty impressive. 👍

[kushagramittal]

Now I know where those long skid marks on the highways come from.

[strumbum]

We were told by our local News Media about a week before the “landings” that this was an Emergency preparedness exercise in the event of another New Madrid Earthquake. Seems odd that an AC-130 Gunship (with lights on at 1:30), also landed. In the event of an emergency like an Earthquake, a C-130 would most likely do an “airdrop” flyover of equipment/supplies…

[danledbetter]

A bit more complicated than doing it in a Vari-eze, I never had to do it but I did practice a bit... These guys are frigging awesome!

[rotorcraft]

Hats off to our fantastic military!!! Practice on unimproved, makeshift landing strips is very important!!!

[angelman]

We did that (Volant Scorpion 89') LRAFB except we landed on a dirt road de-planed down the ramp then battled Special Forces for Air Base Ground Defense Certification. Fun times.

[engagedrandomcitizen]

The local Sheriff was carrying on about in case of tornados, etc. The military press release had them reloading a Ghost rider Gunship with 155mm and 30mm rounds in case of war. Someone is not on the same page. Hahahahaha.

[kenvandevoort]

C130's kept us alive in Turkey when Tumpane went on strike. They brought us our food. I still like brussel sprouts after having to eat them for 30 days straight.

[joshuaranger]

Wow that's something you don't see everyday a huge C130 Hercules landing on a public road

[tonyscates]

I was driving home from Little Rock and a C-130 passed overhead barely a 100 ft. above me. I was wondering what that was all about.