The Lockheed Martin C-130J, known as the “Super Hercules,” has proven its moniker to be well-deserved. On April 27 and 28, during a situation reminiscent of the Kabul evacuation in Afghanistan, the Super Hercules, operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), conducted a daring night rescue mission at an unstaffed airstrip in Sudan. The mission saved 121 people who were stranded with no way to reach Port Sudan. In the absence of ground support and under the risk of potential attacks, IAF officers flew the Super Hercules to the Wadi Sayyidna airstrip, 40 km north of Khartoum in Sudan.
The rescued passengers, mostly Indian nationals, were unable to reach Port Sudan, where an Indian warship had been evacuating people from the conflict-ridden region. “The passengers included medical cases, a pregnant woman, and those without transportation to Port Sudan,” said IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Ashish Moghe on April 28. The Indian defense attaché in Khartoum coordinated the rescue effort and maintained communication with IAF authorities. The airstrip where the evacuation took place lacked navigational aids, fuel, and crucial landing lights for nighttime operations.
To overcome these challenges, the aircrew used Electro-Optical/Infra-Red sensors and Night Vision Goggles to ensure a safe approach and take-off. Eight IAF ‘Garud’ commandos swiftly secured the passengers and their luggage on board while the aircraft engines continued to run. Wing Commander Moghe commended the operation for its audacity and flawless execution, comparing it to the Kabul rescue. India has deployed two C-130Js for “Operation Kaveri,” aimed at evacuating Indian nationals caught in the Sudanese conflict. The IAF C-130Js are operating from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, flying to various Sudanese locations to rescue affected Indian citizens.
The Indian Air Force has a total of 11 C-130J aircraft in its fleet, which are used for various missions, including special operations, reconnaissance, and transport of troops and equipment. The Super Hercules has been a reliable workhorse for the IAF and has been used in several high-profile operations, including the 2015 Nepal earthquake relief and the 2021 Kabul evacuation.