The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) is set to receive its final three Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules airlifters.

Aircraft number 5721 was the first of these aircraft to be ferried from Lockheed Martin's production facility in Marietta, Georgia, on April 23, 2013.

All three C-130Js were ferried to U.S. Air Force bases prior to delivery to the IQAF.

The IQAF, a legacy C-130 operator, received its first C-130J in December 2012 (photo) and will have a total of 6 C-130Js in its new Hercules fleet.

The IQAF uses the airlifters for intra-theater support for its troops and to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history.

During more than 50 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian, and humanitarian aid operations.

The Hercules has outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants.

Fifteen nations have placed orders for a total of 300 C-130Js, of which 250 aircraft have been delivered as of February 2012.