[HoustonCurmudgeon]

How do you hit an aircraft with small arms, 22km from the airport? Don't they use a steep rate of climb to avoid these problems?

[CindyDawg]

steep rate of climb

Maybe that's how they were injured?

[dighton]

Was about to post same thing, more or less. Even with a normal rate of climb, you'd think they'd be well above effective range for small arms.

Disclaimer: no expert here.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

The C-130 would still be low on the deck in a combat takeoff. The pilot would firewall the throttle and jink to throw off any SAM locks from the ground. It exposes you to ground fire, however. A tradeoff that needs to be made.