Are the ones you see ski equipped? It’s easy to tell because the landing gear doesn’t retract all the way.
I thought the only people operating ski equipped, LC130H Hercs were the NY ANG. They’re used to support scientists in Antarctica.
I know, C130s are getting more and more rare. I’m trying to learn to love the C17 but in an earlier life I worked for a Lockheed sub and prepared manuals for C130s and P3s. I loved the Hercs. There was a time when I think I knew every Herc in US inventory by tail number and could quote you their model and AFC history.
Ever since I moved to where i live just east of Big Lake 11 miles north of Wasilla there is a daily formation of C 130’s that have what appears to be a routine pattern, they almost always are 4 and travel directly low over my house usually around 6:30 Pm, every day for many years, just the last year it has been now the C 17s instead which are much much more quiet, I believe its part of a training mission that goes on daily.