The C-130 Hercules aircraft would soon be back in the fleet of aircrafts of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with the first aircraft being welcomed back in a minor ceremony. Hercules aircraft being brought back into the fleet of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is a result of the Life Extension Program (LEP).

A ceremony to welcome back the C-130 was held at the Auckland Air Force Base, the ceremony was a part of inducting the aircraft by the Ministry of Defense to start the Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) of the Hercules. The OT&E of the aircraft is undertaken to test the enhanced capabilities of the Hercules after it had undergone the LEP, the OT&E would also allow the Air Force to evaluate the best use for the Hercules.

The upgrade performed on the C-130 Hercules, has been stated to be one of the most drastic modifications that the aircraft has undergone.

The Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Steve Moore has stated that the upgrades being conducted on the aircrafts include a new cockpit, an upgrade navigational system, renovation of the centre wing and a massive
98% replacement of the original wiring in the aircraft.

The new upgrades applied in the aircraft would help in the better functioning of the Hercules C-130.