Old HC-130 gets new Job as Gate Guard

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

The Spirit of Long Island (#0222, aka Triple Deuce) served in the New York Air National Guard from 1966 until 2019. On 18AUG2021, after several days of moving and assembly, Triple Deuce began a new job as gate guardian for F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base.

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

The 106th Maintenance Group spent two years going through red tape, and Air Force Museum demilitarization training, to get the HC-130 rescue Hercules qualified as a gate guard.

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

New York National Guard ‘engine mount’ video by Warrant Officer-1 Edward Shevlin:

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

New York National Guard photo by Captain Mark Getman.

New York National Guard ‘end result’ video by Warrant Officer-1 Edward Shevlin:

WW3: U-S-A-F PREPS TO USE C-130 ON U.S. HIGHWAYS! RED DAWN FOR REALS?