Central Otago skies have been treated to a spectacle of Hercules proportions this week.

A C-130H (NZ) Hercules, flown by Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) No. 40 Squadron, has been flying above the district over recent days, adding some rare activity to what is, usually, a relatively quiet airspace.

The aircraft, which weighs more than 34,000kg, has been taking part in Exercise Skytrain, which provides scenario-based consolidation training for C-130H aircrews in low-level tactical flying, aerial delivery of equipment and threat avoidance.

Defence Public Affairs senior communications adviser Dave Williams said Exercise Skytrain was supported by numerous RNZAF and New Zealand Army logistics regiment units.

The Hercules has been taking part in a range of sorties over parts of Central this week. PHOTO: Defence Force

He said it provided an opportunity for the units to build experience working in an unsupported location.

Crews flew multiple sorties (missions) each day, which were put together based on a detailed intelligence picture with each flight providing support units to the battlefield, interlaced with threats from fictional opposing force.

“Exercise Skytrain ensures that C-130H crews are trained to meet readiness requirements for tactical operations in war-like conditions, as well as maintaining delivery options in unfamiliar environments, which may be encountered during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.”

Dave said Exercise Skytrain encompassed much of Central Otago, through to the Mackenzie Country, Hokitika, Timaru and Invercargill.

In Central, air drop sorties were focused on three drop zones in the Ida Valley and Maniototo, near Ranfurly.

“Central Otago offers a unique terrain and environment, which is different to operating areas close to our home base in Whenuapai in Auckland. This presents new challenges to crews in both their flight planning and sortie execution.”

Air-land sorties, where the aircraft lands, loads and unloads personnel or equipment with engines running, flew into Wānaka, Alexandra, Omarama, Timaru and Invercargill.

Training is scheduled to finish tomorrow.