Pilot Achieves Milestone of 10,000 Hours Flying the C-130 for "Herk For Life" Program
Gary Hogg, the Unstoppable C-130 Pilot
If the C-130 Hercules had a permanent resident, Gary Hogg would've been its Swiss Family. With over 10,000 flight hours under his belt, that's roughly spending 416 days in the friendly skies across a staggering 41-year career. As a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and current test pilot at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Hogg has lived, breathed, and conquered the legendary transport plane.
In a recent press release from Eglin's 96th Test Wing, Hogg expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the unprecedented career opportunity. The 65-year-old reminisced about his four-decade-long journey, acknowledging the immense blessings that guided his path.
Hogg's story kicks off on Nov 23, 1983, with his Air Force Academy graduation and qualification training on the mighty C-130 Hercules. An initial interest in the RF-4 reconnaissance fighter or the A-10 attack jet was quickly overshadowed by the camaraderie and collective mission execution encapsulated by the C-130's crew-oriented operations.
A tour in Europe followed, with Hogg shifting gears to fly special operations missions on C-130E and MC-130E Combat Talon variants from 1988 onwards. Armed with aerial refueling pods, these variants helped power up special operations and search and rescue helicopters.
One of Hogg's most harrowing experiences came during a mission in 1993, where he and his crew supplied 14 MH-53 Pave Low helicopters en route to Haiti. As thunderstorms separated a helicopter from the formation, Hogg and his team successfully spearheaded a rescue mission, providing the Pave Low enough fuel to complete the treacherous trip. This selfless act, however, left the MC-130E so low on fuel that they had to divert to Key West, Florida, in a last-ditch effort to save the aircraft.
Hogg's illustrious career continued with positions in Air Force Special Operations Command's standards and evaluation division, followed by flight testing at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He had the unique opportunity to fly nearly every C-130 variant before assuming the role of lieutenant colonel at Eglin in 2004, where he still works today as a civilian test pilot.
Twenty years later, the C-130 remains an exhilarating experience for Hogg, who now serves as the standardization and evaluation command chief pilot at Air Force Materiel Command's Detachment 1. With a plethora of C-130 missions under his wing, Hogg's younger colleagues at Det. 1 and the 417th Flight Test Squadron are fortunate to learn from his four decades in the cockpit.
In Col. Brian Taylor's words, Hogg "is absolutely a source of continuity here." His extensive experience flying every Air Force C-130 variant and established relationships with operational units help ensure the diverse mission sets of the C-130 operations stay mission-ready.
With his 10,000 hour milestone reached on Sept 24, 2021, in an MC-130H, Hogg was honored with the presence of his 11-year-old grandson, Anthony Lindstrom, and a beaming group of friends and family. For Hogg, the enjoyment lies in the collaborative design of the C-130 team - a force of unity that always shines brighter in the air.
- During his career, Gary Hogg, the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, has not only flown various C-130 aircraft but also tested them, exemplifying his dedication to the military's air force.
- Reflecting on his career, Gary Hogg acknowledges the privilege of working in the space of special operations missions, contributing to the powering up of special operations and search and rescue helicopters through his C-130 missions.
- After a celebrated career in the military, Gary Hogg still draws excitement from the C-130, now working as a civilian test pilot, sharing his experience and knowledge with younger colleagues, much like a coach guiding a team in a sports game like hockey.
