Hercules represents at Rome air show Published Oct. 20, 2014 By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs ROME, Ga. -- A team from the 94th Airlift Wing brought a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules to the Wings over North Georgia air show in Rome, Georgia as a static display Oct. 18 and 19 to showcase the aircraft and let the public know about its capabilities. The crew and pilots gave tours of the bay area and cockpit and showed visitors how trauma medical dummy "Lieutenant Dan" worked. "People have loved this," said 1st Lt. Anthony Toste, 700th Airlift Squadron pilot. "We've had a constant line out here of 30 to 40 people for a good four hours." Guests asked tons of questions from how much fuel the jet used to its range and speed and for explanations of what the aeromedical technicians did, Toste explained. The Hercules pilots also met several former C-130 aviators, the pilot added. Brian Shuler, a Marietta, Georgia resident, used to fly in Hercules gunships at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and ran into the 700th AS at the air show. While he was up in the cockpit, Shuler explained some of the differences between his gunship and their C-130. "We had a gun that was placed right about here in the cockpit," Shuler pointed out. With the extensive history of the jet, it isn't too surprising to run into former crew of the Hercules, Toste commented. "Over the years I've run into 50 to 60 of them," he added. "The C-130 has been around for so long and is so recognizable. It hasn't changed that much." One guest was particularly fascinated by the jet. 11-year-old Glen Sheppard toured the jet and wanted to get photos with the Airmen, saluting each one, enlisted and officer alike. "My son has been loving this," said Scott Sheppard, Glenn's father. "He's infatuated with the Air Force. I was in the Marines for a couple years and have been teaching him about the military." "The excitement of the kids has by far been my favorite part of this," Toste said. "They have been all over everything. They make this worth it."
