was hit about 22km west of the airport
What altitude would a C-130 be 22km out from takeoff?
Still within small arms range?
An aircraft could take off and use an up-the-stairway pattern to climb to maximum altitude, and thus minimalize the "footprint" over the ground used for the climb. It would take a bit longer, since some energy is lost in the turns, but perhaps well worth the extra time and fuel.
Finally, it's little consolation for the family of the military member killed aboard that C-130, but the number of firings on coalition aircraft have actually decreased in recent months. When you look at the number of MANPAD SAM and AAA attacks, compared to the number of takeoffs/landings in Iraq, the threat is minimal. My regret is that we don't keep AH-64s or AC-130s on airborne alert, and task them to hose the area where SAMs/small arms fire originates. After a couple of visits from an AC-130, you'd have local Iraqis killling the gunners before they could get off a shot at coalition aircraft. Believe me, you don't want an Apache or AC-130 visiting your neighborhood....