Defying Darkness: In A First, Indian Air Force's C-130J Executes Night Landing At Kargil Airstrip

The Indian Air Force's C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft achieved a significant milestone by successfully executing a night landing at the Kargil airstrip as reported by Indian Express.

The Indian Air Frice (IAF) shared a video of the operation, highlighting the aircraft's capability to land in challenging conditions.

The IAF stated, "In a first, an IAF C-130 J aircraft recently carried out a night landing at the Kargil airstrip. Employing terrain masking enroute, the exercise also dovetailed a training mission of the Garuds."

Situated in the demanding Himalayan terrain, the Kargil strip is positioned at an elevation exceeding 8,800 feet.

Since 2020, the IAF's C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130J Super Hercules have been consistently conducting multiple sorties for the transportation of troops and military equipment to forward bases.

Highlighting the versatility of the C-130J, last year in April, the IAF employed this aircraft in a daring night rescue mission in Sudan.

Departing from Jeddah around 8pm, the C-130J carried a standard crew, including two pilots, a navigator, a flight gunner, a flight engineer, and two-three technical staff.

Accompanied by eight Garud Commandos, the IAF's elite special forces unit, the team carried weapons, equipment, night vision devices, and tactical flashlights for the successful execution of the night operation.