Air Mobility Command Takes C-130J Super Hercules Delivery

Lockheed Martin | Mar 24, 2008
>>LINK<<

MARIETTA, Ga.: Lockheed Martin today delivered another C-130J Super Hercules to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The aircraft is assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron, which is currently scheduled to receive 16 C-130Js. The "Black Cats" are currently engaged in Southwest Asia on their first combat deployment. This latest C-130J was accepted by Lt. Gen. John L. "Jack" Hudson, Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"It is a great honor to deliver this new C-130J to our warfighters in the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base," said Lt. Gen. Hudson during the delivery ceremony. "Generating significantly greater operational effectiveness and efficiency than the older C-130s, the 'J' flies farther, faster and with more payload and higher reliability. This increased capability is critical to our mobility arsenal and to our airmen fighting the Global War on Terror."

The 41st is currently part of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) operating out of Southwest Asia. "Achieving the CAOC's [Combined Air and Space Operations Center] desired effects on the ground in Afghanistan is a direct result of coordination and integration within this Wing," said Lt. Col. Daniel Tulley, 746th EAS. "The recapitalized C-130J is proving itself exceptionally capable, reliable and flexible -- exactly what we need given the diverse missions we fly from this location every day."

In the United States, the USAF's Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force. Norway and Canada have ordered new C-130J fleets and India has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for six of the aircraft.

Had a great air show for Thunder Over Louisville, Saturday, led by our local "H" model birds, who are flying mission all over the globe.
Three of our PJs jumped from one of the 130s in full gear and parachuted into the Ohio River to show the abilities of our recently assigned unit.

Why must God torture me so. I REALLY wanted to see this year's thunder and I had to miss it. My friend sent me pictures, my other friend prepped the air craft and now I get it on mil.com forums too. GAH!

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I posted a news release about a C-130E in the general forums. Me thinks perhaps I should have posted it here on this thread. Here's the link, C-130 unit gets a new bird with an old history.

quote:

Originally posted by Torch8306:
Three of our PJs jumped from one of the 130s in full gear and parachuted into the Ohio River to show the abilities of our recently assigned unit.

The STS has been there several years already. It is a very busy and active Kentucky Air National Guard squadron.

123RD Special Tactics Squadron Battle on Takur Ghar

Special Tactics Troops Recall Katrina Evacuations

The unit is hosting the Pararescue Association reunion during September.

I want to see an air show with a c-130 gunship and have them fire a few rounds into a car with explosives in it. That would be awsome. Nobody would see it but they would heir it and then see the car explode.

quote:

I want to see an air show with a c-130 gunship and have them fire a few rounds into a car with explosives in it. That would be awesome. Nobody would see it but they would heir it and then see the car explode.

Sorry! Unless you happen to catch them on a training exercise, you'll never witness them doing anything like what you would like to see. Airshows will never have live ammo being utilized. Even the Tora, Tora, Tora demo team used controlled explosives on the ground, only.

123RD Special Tactics Squadron
Battle on Takur Ghar
Had proper communication been utilized between the units, in the first place, the PJs may have never had to risk their lives to save the surviving members.
The commander, in charge of the operation, was never punished for the fiasco.
Our PJs couldn't be thanked enough for their heroics!

quote:

The STS has been there several years already. It is a very busy and active Kentucky Air National Guard squadron.

Let me make a correction to my previous statement. The 123rd had an STF of CCTs and PJs, but recently became a full squadron.

Some readers may lack awareness that Battle of Takur Ghar was but one of several engagements and skirmishes of Operation Anaconda.

The battle of Takur Ghar also includes what happened on Roberts Ridge.

The commander, who screwed up O-A still got away with incompetence!
And yes, both battles proved a major loss to our troops, having been informed by proper communication, would most likely not have suffered the casualties, even though I'm speculating. They went into those operations blind.
An Article 32 should have been initiated. The carelessness of this leadership would have resulted in a Courts Martial.

Lockheed Delivers 100th C-130J Hercules

(Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; issued April 28, 2008)

MARIETTA, Ga., --- Lockheed Martin yesterday delivered the 100th C-130J Super Hercules to the U.S. Government. The C-130J was delivered to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., where it is assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron, the Blackcats, which is currently engaged in Southwest Asia on their first combat deployment. This latest C-130J was accepted by Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz Jr., Commander, 314th Airlift Wing, and Installation Commander at Little Rock Air Force Base.

It's a special honor and privilege for me to deliver this amazing aircraft to the 41st Airlift Squadron, the first active-duty Air Mobility Command unit to employ the special capabilities of the C-130J into combat," said Brig. Gen. Schatz. "It will soon add to the Blackcats' legend and distinguished history of providing the nation a vital combat airlift capability. Taking our soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and airmen off the roads in Iraq and Afghanistan, getting the wounded warrior to medical care, and delivering cargo when and where it is needed, are just a few of the vital missions the C-130J allows combat airlifters to perform with greater efficiency than ever before," he said.

In the United States, Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force. Norway, Canada and India have ordered new C-130J fleets.

First C-130J Super Hercules for Norway Completes Production and Painting

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued May 27, 2008)

MARIETTA, Ga. --- The first of four C-130Js for Norway has now completed production and painting at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. As the first C-130J order under the U.S. Foreign Military Sale program, the Norway contract marks yet another important milestone in the history of the world’s most versatile airlifter.

The Norwegian Super Hercules are the longer fuselage, or "stretched" variant of the C-130J, similar to those being delivered to the U.S. Air Force. Deliveries to Norway will include one aircraft in 2008, one in 2009 and two in 2010.

As a result of Norway’s urgent need to replace its nearly 40-year-old C-130s, the Norwegian government arranged with the U.S. government for early delivery.

The C-130Js that Norway will receive are capable of generating much greater operational efficiencies than the 1960s era C-130Hs that Norway has been operating. The C-130J can fly farther, faster, with more payload and higher reliability. The new aircraft will enable Norway to fully meet its national airlift mission requirements as well as those in support of international organizations such as the U.N. and NATO.

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Air Force has increase their requisition requirements for the "J" model. 117 Combat-delivery "C" models, 10 weather monitoring "WC" model, and seven Commando Solo psychological operations "EC" model will be built, instead of the original 82 aircraft, for delivery at a rate of eight a year to phase out "E" model MC and EC birds.

Nice!

I was working on the T-56 engines just as the first J Models were coming out. I was stationed at D.Y.E.S.S. (and the answer to that: No, I really didn't) and worked in the C-130 Backshop. I'm currently searching for: Anyone who was in the backshop at Dyess, anyone who was stationed at Dyess, and anyone who got SCRE*$% while in the AF. I myself got scre*&^ by being a trusting fool and loaning my vehicle to a buddy of mine (he then proceeded to move dormitory furniture off-base without my knowledge). But hey, it all turned out GREAT! I'm loving life now, but wouldn't have traded my experiences for anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Torch8306:
Air Force has increase their requisition requirements for the "J" model. 117 Combat-delivery "C" models, 10 weather monitoring "WC" model, and seven Commando Solo psychological operations "EC" model will be built, instead of the original 82 aircraft, for delivery at a rate of eight a year to phase out "E" model MC and EC birds.

There is a purchase of MC-130J as well as HC-130J. They will be built similar to the KC-130J but with the advanced cargo compartment the Marines did not get.

quote:

There is a purchase of MC-130J as well as HC-130J.

That was already stipulated in the report. It was showing the breakdown for the fiscal year defense spending to replace the "E" models. They made no mention of specific MC or HC types, only cargo, weather, and SpecOps.

Awwww the 130-Gay the loathe and dismay of FE's around the AF. I just hope AFSOC finds a way to keep us FE's and Navs in the birds down there when they start getting MC J's as no computer can replace eyes in the cockpit.

I happened to notice Pres Bush squeezed funding for the first five J-model MC's onto the bill that just got signed. Same bill as the G.I. Bill and funding the war till spring. It also funded 5 more Osprey. According to Pete Domenici senator from NM, all funded aircraft are destined for Cannon. This was reported in a press release from his office.