[nhoward14]

How'd they get it back OFF the carrier?

[heckler]

They didnt show that part. I would assume that they'd have to pull into port and take it off with a BIG crane.

[Catspaw]

How do they get off the carrier? Probably by copter. Remember that the Abraham Lincoln isn't stopping to take on its precious cargo and that they will probably be close enough for a copter to fly back to land.

[El Gato]

How'd they get it back OFF the carrier?

Turned her into the wind, backed the Herky up as far as they could, and flew it off. An empty C-130 can take off in an amazingly short distance. It was after all designed for short unimproved (read packed dirt) runways near the front lines. Add a JATO (rocket pack used for takeoff assist) and it pretty much jumps into the air, although I don't think they used the JATO to get it off the carrier. "Fat Albert" the C-130 that accompanies the Navy's Blue Angels, does a JATO takeoff for every show. It's impressive that something that big can get off the ground that fast, and then climb so steeply.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The crew flew it off. 29 touch and go landings, 21 unarrested landings and 21 unassisted takeoffs. Details here.