[Arrowhead1952]

The senator told the station that shortly after take-off, she could see light flashing through portholes on the side.

I question the claim that "she could see light flashing thorough portholes" on a C-130 shortly after takeoff. If I'm not mistaken, the maneuver during takeoffs in a combat area is called "Combat Extraction" which is standard procedure. The pilots take the aircraft into a 90 degree straight up climb and a very steep spiral ascent.

[MeanWestTexan]

Someone should ask her if the flashing light from that "missle" and/or AAA was red or green. That way we can know where she was sitting.

(Pilot humor here.)

[Allegra]

I question the claim that "she could see light flashing thorough portholes" on a C-130 shortly after takeoff. If I'm not mistaken, the maneuver during takeoffs in a combat area is called "Combat Extraction" which is standard procedure. The pilots take the aircraft into a 90 degree straight up climb and a very steep spiral ascent.

That's absolutely correct. And from where you sit on a C-130, you really can't see much out of the portholes.

Even commercial charter planes take off and land that way at BIAP (BGW).

I've seen light flashes on helicopters while flying from one base to another across Baghdad. They're common.

Di is just freaking out or just wants to be seen as a war hero. {Bwaaahahahahahaha!}