LOCAL NEWS, DELIVERED DAILY. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get the top stories sent straight to your inbox every evening.
Buys 10 retired Hercules from RCAF

Coulson doubles firefighting fleet

Aug 7, 2026 | 11:32 AM

Port Alberni’s Coulson Aviation has secured one of their largest deals ever, as they acquired 10 former Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130H Hercules aircraft from the Government of Canada.

The unprecedented sale of retired Canadian military planes to a private company will allow Coulson Aviation to repurpose the planes into forest fire fighting waterbombers for use across Canada and around the globe.

The purchase doubles Coulson’s global C-130H fleet from 10 aircraft to 20, and will create hundreds of jobs in Port Alberni for aircraft engineering, manufacturing, modification, maintenance, training, and flight operations.

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns says he’s been working for many years to secure the deal for Coulson.

“I’ve addressed this critical issue on many occasions in Parliament and in meetings with the government, urging them to work with Coulson Aviation, First Nations‘ partners and the private sector to convert the retired military aircraft particularly the CC130 Hercules aircraft into large air tankers,” he said. “These aircraft can continue serving Canadians in a new life-saving role rather than being retired without realizing their full potential.”

The C-130H, equipped with Coulson’s retardant delivery system, can carry more than 15,000 litres, of water or fire retardant.

“Coulson, based in Port Alberni, is a global leader in converting and operating large aerial firefighting aircraft,” said Johns. “This announcement recognizes the company’s expertise, supports highly skilled Canadian jobs and demonstrates what can be achieved when the government works with Canadian innovators to address a national emergency.”

Company President Wayne Coulson says, as wildfire seasons become longer and more complex, Canada needs aircraft that can respond quickly, carry meaningful loads, and keep working.

Johns said hundreds of jobs will be created as Coulson refits the planes for firefighting, and services and maintains the planes for many years afterwards.