Eglin Air Force pilot reaches 10,000 flight hours in C-130 after 41-year career 

Retired US Air Force pilot Gary Hogg, who spent most of his career at Eglin Air Force Base, has completed 10,000 hours of flight time over 41 years. 

Hogg achieved this milestone, equivalent to 416 days or over a year, flying various C-130 Hercules models, according to the Eglin AFB announcement, published on October 2, 2024. His 10,000th flight hour was reached during a routine avionics modernization program test mission on September 24, 2024. 

“It’s a milestone in a career I never knew was possible, but I am so thankful I had the chance to live it,” said the 65-year-old pilot from Kentucky. “When I stop to think about the last 40-plus years, I know I have truly been blessed.” 

Hogg began his career at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas on November 23, 1983, immediately after graduating from the USAir Force Academy and flight school. Just two days after finishing aircraft training at his next post, Pope Army Airfield, he was sent to Europe for deployment.  

“It was more than an adventure,” said Hogg, who initially wanted to fly the RF-4 or A-10 Thunderbolt II before choosing the C-130. “I knew the C-130 was the right decision for me. I loved the concept of flying with a crew and the way everyone worked together to get the mission done.” 

In 1988, he started working as a special operator with C-130E and MC-130E Combat Talon aircraft. This was when Hogg experienced his toughest mission. In 1993, his MC-130E crew supported 14 MH-53 Pave Low helicopters going to Haiti in severe thunderstorms. During this mission, Hogg and his crew had to refuel a helicopter that had become separated from other MH-53 helicopters. 

However, Hogg’s crew was running low on fuel and needed to land in Key West Island, Florida. The storm caused a power outage on the island. The crew tried to land twice but failed, and was left with only enough fuel left for one more attempt. 

“Fortunately, we were able to land, and we found out our MH-53 also made it to a successful landing in Haiti,” said Hogg. 

Later, Hogg was assigned to the US Air Force Special Operations Command, located at Hurlburt Field, Florida, where he began testing C-130 aircraft. This role laid the groundwork for his future civilian career in the USAF, which began 11 years later.  

Hethen gained additional experience flying various C-130 models while stationed at Robins AFB in Georgia. In 2004, he became a lieutenant colonel of the standards and evaluation division for the US Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). 

Currently Hogg still works as a civilian test pilot for the AFMC at Eglin AFB, even after retiring from his active-duty position. He now helps with flight testing and evaluating different models of the C-130 Hercules. 

“I have the opportunity to test new models and capabilities, I get to accomplish even more with the C-130,” said Hogg. “Each model and variant can execute so many different missions, it is impossible to get bored with doing the same thing all the time.” 

The C-130 Hercules military transport is often referred to as the workhorse of the skies, and August 23, 2024, marked 70 years since its first flight. More than 2,500 C-130s have been built across assorted versions. 

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