RAF's C-130J Hercules undertakes training in Bournemouth

The C-130J Hercules, based at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, visited Bournemouth Airport on Thursday afternoon and was also spotted above areas of Bournemouth including Bearwood.

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Described as the "backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks", the C-130J Hercules is the RAF’s primary tactical transport aircraft.

This large C-130J Hercules aircraft was photographed by Ringwood resident Gary Owen.

Jim Lodge also captured the aircraft flying overhead in Bearwood.

A spokesperson for Brize Norton said: "This afternoon, our C-130J Hercules aircraft will be operating in the vicinity of Bournemouth, whilst engaged in essential training. These are necessary, routine, flights and not connected with RAF support to the UK's fight against coronavirus."

The air station also revealed that their C-17 aircraft would be operating in the vicinity of Bournemouth, Exeter and Cardiff, whilst engaged in essential training, unrelated to RAF support in helping the UK battle coronavirus.