The C-130 is large and unmaneuverable compared to tactical jets.  With a C-130 crew of 7-10 compared to the 1-2 of tactical jets, it would be risky to operate the C-130 exposed to enemy defenses.  So although the C-130's readiness would be increased by keeping it airborne for earlier snatch of descending aviators, it wouldn't be wise to hold it airborne near enemy targets.  It should be kept in 'safe areas' over Iran or maybe offshore until needed. But the pronged C-130 is a potential addition to other rescue forces such as helicopters, so the C-130 too is subject to the same kinds of time delays in communication to get it headed to the site of a potential downing.  (And remember it has to get there before the surface is reached by the downed aviator.) How many people could each C-130 theoretically catch mid air? Is it one person rescued per plane?  THE TIMING IS TIGHT, SO GETTING A SECOND DESCENDING AVIATOR WOULD BE VERY RARE EVEN IF TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE. How fast is the C-130 compared to other options like a search and rescue helicopter?  MAX SPEED OF A C130 IS 368 MPH, BUT THAT'S GOING 'DOWNHILL. CRUISING SPEED IS UNDER 300 MPH. If a C-130 didn't reach it's window of time to grab a pilot midair, is it feasible for this type of plane to conduct the rescue on the ground?  NOT VIA THE PRONG (WHICH IS INTENDED TO CATCH AN UNFURLED CHUTE).  BUT THERE ARE TECHNIQUES SUCH AS FULTON SKYHOOK THAT MIGHT WORK (BUT ARE NOT PART OF YOUR PROBLEM). What elevation would the tactical aircraft pilots be flying at, and could they lose altitude after getting hit and while still assessing their situations? (Important for determining time constraints.) SMART WEAPONS PERMIT DELIVERY FROM 15,000 FEET OR ABOVE How would the C-130 locate a pilot upon arriving at the likely downing position? Visually? Some sort of beacon? /Presumably, sighting the pilot, adjusting to compensate for the pilot's descent, and making the grab would all take a good deal of time, especially if the C-130 comes under enemy fire and must conduct evasive maneuvers.  VISUALLY/RADIO WITH PILOT IN CHUTE/PERHAPS GPS IT WOULD BE QUITE RISKY FOR THE PILOT DESCENDING OR AFTER REACHING THE SURFACE, BUT HE/SHE MIGHT USE FLARES TO MAKE SIGHTING BY RESCUE CREWS EASIER. YES, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE You mentioned that C-130s are manned by 7-10 people. What is the typical size of a S&R helicopter crew, for comparison? 3-4 A C-130 would probably be an attractive target for Iran's capable air defense systems. How well is the aircraft able to deal with enemy fire? PROBLEMATIC Would it be escorted during S&R? LIKELY, BY JETS Would S&R helicopters be any less vulnerable (presumably not, as they would be descending to make pick-ups)?LESS VULNERABLE DUE SMALLER RADAR SIGNATURE AND DUE GREATER MANEUVERABILITY .

1. The C-130 is large and unmaneuverable compared to tactical
jets. With a C-130 crew of 7-10 compared to the 1-2 of tactical
jets, it would be risky to operate the C-130 exposed to enemy
defenses. So although the C-130's readiness would be increased
by keeping it airborne for earlier snatch of descending aviators,
it wouldn't be wise to hold it airborne near enemy targets. It
should be kept in 'safe areas' over Iran or maybe offshore until
needed.
But the pronged C-130 is a potential addition to other rescue
forces such as helicopters, so the C-130 too is subject to the
same kinds of time delays in communication to get it headed to
the site of a potential downing. (And remember it has to get
there before the surface is reached by the downed aviator.)
How many people could each C-130 theoretically catch mid air?
Is it one person rescued per plane? THE TIMING IS TIGHT,
SO GETTING A SECOND DESCENDING AVIATOR WOULD
BE VERY RARE EVEN IF TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE.
How fast is the C-130 compared to other options like a search
and rescue helicopter? MAX SPEED OF A C130 IS 368 MPH,
BUT THAT'S GOING 'DOWNHILL. CRUISING SPEED IS
UNDER 300 MPH.
If a C-130 didn't reach it's window of time to grab a pilot
midair, is it feasible for this type of plane to conduct the rescue
on the ground? NOT VIA THE PRONG (WHICH IS
INTENDED TO CATCH AN UNFURLED CHUTE). BUT
THERE ARE TECHNIQUES SUCH AS FULTON SKYHOOK
THAT MIGHT WORK (BUT ARE NOT PART OF YOUR
PROBLEM).
What elevation would the tactical aircraft pilots be flying at,
and could they lose altitude after getting hit and while still

2. assessing their situations? (Important for determining time
constraints.) SMART WEAPONS PERMIT DELIVERY FROM
15,000 FEET OR ABOVE
How would the C-130 locate a pilot upon arriving at the likely
downing position? Visually? Some sort of beacon? /Presumably,
sighting the pilot, adjusting to compensate for the pilot's
descent, and making the grab would all take a good deal of
time, especially if the C-130 comes under enemy fire and must
conduct evasive maneuvers. VISUALLY/RADIO WITH PILOT
IN CHUTE/PERHAPS GPS
IT WOULD BE QUITE RISKY FOR THE PILOT
DESCENDING OR AFTER REACHING THE SURFACE, BUT
HE/SHE MIGHT USE FLARES TO MAKE SIGHTING BY
RESCUE CREWS EASIER. YES, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
You mentioned that C-130s are manned by 7-10 people. What is
the typical size of a S&R helicopter crew, for comparison? 3-4
A C-130 would probably be an attractive target for Iran's
capable air defense systems. How well is the aircraft able to
deal with enemy fire? PROBLEMATIC Would it be escorted
during S&R? LIKELY, BY JETS Would S&R helicopters be any
less vulnerable (presumably not, as they would be descending to
make pick-ups)?LESS VULNERABLE DUE SMALLER RADAR
SIGNATURE AND DUE GREATER MANEUVERABILITY