These aircraft are Coast Guard C-130s. There are a total of five based at the station. They fly routine surveilence, disaster assistance and trainning missions. I live on the main North to South approach to St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport. I see these guys about every day flying all manner of approaches. Last hurricane season they were constantly on the move. Also flown out that station is the Sikorsky Blackhawks set up for para rescue operations. Many years ago they flew the Pelicans that could settle on the water. After an operation in the Gulf of Mexico they would fly the Pelicans in shore to Lake Seminole or Lake Tarpon and do a fresh water dip to desalinate the equipment.
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