Thanks for the replies Rick Studder and StopStart.
Looks like the aircraft had all the equipment then and sans an explosion, or 3 engine failures, there is no reason they should have been below the terrain.
I do most of my flying in South America in mountainous terrain and have had a few last minute pull-ups myself thanks to the EGPWS. It does wake you up...
Some newspaper reported the C-130 was in climb when it disapearred from radar.