Good Afternoon Marines,

I received an email from LtCol. Neeley stating the 147573, the last of the F's has retired and is now in AMARC in Arizona.

I have not yet finished the update to the 573 file on the kc130 website, but I thought some here would remember some time on her and appreciate the update.

Be Safe and Have Fun !!!
Nick
Nick@kc130.com



LtCo. Neeley's Email:

On 28 February 2008, the oldest aircraft of any Type, Model, or Series in

the Navy or Marine Corps (KC-130F, Bureau Number 147573) was retired at

Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona. As I write this email flying back to Okinawa

from Tucson, I can't help but wonder what stories aircraft "573" would tell

if it could. The aircraft came into service for the Marine Corps in 1961

and has been used as an Aerial Refueling and Assault Support platform by

VMGR-152 all over the world since then. I have been very excited telling

the stories I know about this aircraft's history from the Vietnam War to

U.S. involvement in Somalia to the countless Humanitarian Assistance and

Disaster Relief operations it flew in the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Sri

Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh and many other countries throughout the Western

Pacific Region.

The single most noteworthy importance of this aircraft which is still

lasting today, is simply that it provides a testament to the quality and

professionalism of hundreds if not thousands of Marines who over the past 47

years maintained it, fixed it, taken care of it, operated it, and loved it.

Lockheed Corporation built an aircraft in 1961 that would stand to fly over

28,000 flight hours providing the Marine Corps with an exceptionally safe,

forgiving, and quality product for our nations defense.

As we shut the aircraft down on the ramp at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson AZ, on

28 February 2008, all 8 Marine Corps Crewmembers were overcome with a

feeling of not wanting to leave it alone there in the boneyard. "573" will

remain in the hearts of all Marines, former and current, who touched this

aircraft in defense of our nation all across the world. We offer our

respect and appreciation to all those Marines.

The new KC-130J's are replacing the "Legacy" KC-130s throughout the Marine

Corps and currently performing exceptionally in Operations Iraqi and

Enduring Freedom, and throughout the Western Pacific supporting numerous

Bi-Lateral exercises and Humanitarian Assistance operations with our many

ally countries.

573 was a good bird. I think that flight hours thing is wrong. I seem to remember that 149792 went over 75,000 hours. I could be wrong, though.

147572 started with problems, and probably ended with problems. 572 would have entered service first, but had a leading edge bleed air leak that burned up some wires and delayed delivery to active duty. Had a similar problem last time I saw it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SSgtRobertMorris,

She was a good bird, But she had a "stuffy old aunt" personality. If you bad mouthed her too much while turning wrenches on her she would start crapping parts left and right. I spent 2 weeks in Iwakuni, Replaced an engine,Inboard flap section and flap drive gear box and a couple of black boxes on her because of my potty-mouth.

Semper Fi all!
This is a sad event indeed. I heard stories of the oldest C-130 in the fleet while stationed on MCAS Futenma on Okinawa, Japan at MALS-36--just up the road from where she was at VMGR-152. I have seen her, too, on the flightline there. I worked helicopters so didn't get much fixed wing experience. Sorry to read she has been retired--may she rest in peace. Its funny how crews, mechanics, and others get attached to their aircraft. I work as an aircraft mechanic in the civvie world now--and some of the aircraft I have worked are now headed to the desert as well (United Airlines Boeing 737-500 and some -300's) Tough to let them go--especially after doing a major overhaul on them! But they are at the mercy of flight cycles and the rising cost of fuel/oil.

Carrick Dunn
Sgt. USMC MALS-36
'97--'02

sorry to see them all retired. know how it feels, being "RTIRED, & HANDICAPPED". only those still alive understand!
Edwin A.Halderman, SSgt. USMC (med-retired)
But still a "MARINE" & 6544 Aviation Ordnance
THINK ABOUT THAT GANG!!!