A C-130 Hercules with the 107th Airlift Wing fires off flares A C-130 Hercules with the 107th Airlift Wing fires off flares during a night formation training mission on Sept. 25, 2012. The flares are an aerial infrared countermeasure to counter incoming heat seeking surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.05 MB) Photo By: VIRIN: 414677-F-EQB14-714.jpg Photo Gallery