On 21 December 2018, the Belgian Lockheed C-130H Hercules with registration CH-10 made its very final flight. After this flight, the aircraft was withdrawn from use. In a couple of years, all Belgian C-130s will be replaced by the Airbus A400M aircraft. Operationally, the Belgian Air Force will remain at strength with the remaining aircraft and with the sharing capacity of the European Air Transport Command (where 7 European Air Forces share their transport assets); no problems are expected to fulfill the transportation tasks. Seven Airbus A400Ms have been ordered by the Belgian Air Force and together with the single A400M ordered by Luxemburg, all eight aircraft will be based at Melsbroek AB where they will take over the ramps and hangers of the C-130s
Text: Joris van Boven. Air-to-air photo: ADJ Kris Moens, PRO 15 Wing at Melsbroek AB. Ground/nighshoot photo: Joris van Boven.