THE Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Hercules aircraft took to the skies over North Wales on Wednesday (June 14) as part of its farewell flypast.
Having been in service since 1966, the Hercules C-130J is a tactical transport aircraft flew over RAF Valley on Anglesey shortly after 11.20am on Wednesday on its last flight before retirement.
Described by the RAF as the "backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks", its defensive system makes it ideal for operating in regions where there is a threat to aircraft.
RAF Valley described Hercules as an “iconic” aircraft that has been an “integral part of the RAF for many years”.
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The attached photos show Hercules’ final flypast both on station at Raf Valley and at the Mach Loop.
Its last operational flight took place on June 4 with the 47 Squadron.
For its retirement flypast, it departed RAF Brize Norton at 10am, flew over areas including Anglesey, Beverley, Colchester, Cambridge Airport, and High Wycombe.
It came in to land back at RAF Brize Norton at 5.05pm.
Although the retirement flypast is taking place on June 14, the 47 Squadron and the Hercules will continue to deliver on operations supporting UK defence objectives until June 30.
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