Out and about in the desert and mountains around Las Vegas, military aircraft will fly over your head and intrude upon your solitude. However, learning to identify aircraft in flight adds an odd twist to enjoying the outdoors while hiking and birding around Las Vegas -- how many species and varieties can you identify?

C-130 Hercules are used for the tactical portion of airlift missions, that is, the last mile. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt airstrips and is the prime transport for dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Basic and specialized versions of the aircraft perform diverse roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, medevac missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service, and natural disaster relief missions. Modified as an AC-130 gunship, the aircraft is capable of close-air support, air interdiction, and force protection with devastating firepower. Modified as an C-130T, the aircraft can be used as a mid-air refueling tanker.

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
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