2017
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The Indian Air Force is definitely one of a kind in the world. What makes it so unique is the varied mix of aircraft its inventory comprises of, which makes it the most diverse force in the sky. Its family members include the Russian Migs, Sukhois, the brilliant Mirage 2000s and Jaguars, and the indigenous Tejas. However, aging machinery, crashes and a painfully slow procurement process has been causing a lot of frost to accumulate on its wings lately. Back in February 2011, six C-130J tactical airlifters were procured from the United States, of which the IAF had earlier lost one during “a tactical low-level training sortie” after it crashed near Gwalior in March 2014, ki…
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More than a year since news broke that Air Force Special Operations Command planned to install and test lasers on its fabulously lethal AC-130 Gunships, the plan now is to get its top unfunded requirement tested within a year. Lt Gen Brad Webb, head of AFSOC, told me that was now the plan. General Atomics and other companies have been spending their own research and development (IRAD) money on the capability, as we reported in late 2015. More than a year since news broke that Air Force Special Operations Command planned to install and test lasers on its fabulously lethal AC-130 Gunships, the plan now is to get its top unfunded requirement tested within a …
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The C-130H FuT provides a controlled environment where personnel can schedule realistic, high-fidelity task training and mission simulation, ensuring that AE crew and ground support personnel remain proficient in providing high quality and reliable patient transport. The FuT also allows for hands-on muscle memory of configuration, placement of in-flight kits, electrical, oxygen and emergency exits. . The C-130H FuT provides a controlled environment where personnel can schedule realistic, high-fidelity task training and mission simulation, ensuring that AE crew and ground support personnel remain proficient in providing high quality and reliable patie…
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The "War Eagle" C-130 aircraft left its military legacy of valor to a newer model on Friday. An official transfer of heritage and retirement ceremony took place at Maxwell Air Force Base when the 908th Airlift Wing reserve unit transferred the heritage and "War Eagle" nose art from aircraft 85-0040 along with the memorabilia to the newer aircraft 91-9142. Cadets from the university's Air Force ROTC Detachment were on hand and take part in the ceremony. The "War Eagle" C-130 aircraft left its military legacy of valor to a newer model on Friday. An official transfer of heritage and retirement ceremony took place at Maxwell Air Force Base when the …
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Over the next six months, the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base will be replacing their fleet of C-130 cargo aircraft with eight newer planes. The first plane arrived Thursday night at Maxwell from New York. The 908th, Alabama's only Reserve unit, has been flying the same Lockheed C-130 Hercules for the last three decades. The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop transport plane, commonly known as the "work horse of the Air Force." Over the next six months, the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base will be replacing their fleet of C-130 cargo aircraft with eight newer planes. The first plane arrived Thurs…
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As promised by the Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex C-130 sustainment workers were treated to a Feb. 9 tour inside an AC-130W gunship fully loaded with the latest modifications. Maj. Gen. Eugene Haase, AFSOC vice commander, and his crew brought the AC-130W from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to the Robins flight line to keep a vow he made during a similar visit in 2016. “I promised if you guys continued your magic that we would come back with one of our ‘Whiskeys’,” Haase said. “I would tell you that you have, and it’s just been a huge success story up here for us. I mean, you’ve set new standards.” …
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Throughout the Air Force, Airmen depend on each other to ensure the mission is completed. Just as pilots depend on an array of career field specialists to guarantee an aircraft is mission-ready, weapons undergraduate pilots in the C-130 Weapons Instructor Course depend on loadmasters to help understand what goes on in the back of the aircraft. The 29th Weapons Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, is home to the C-130 WIC. Only the top tier of instructor pilots and instructor navigators are selected to attend the course. Weapons officer cadre train weapons undergraduate pilots, or WUGS, to become tactical experts and leaders in the art of battle-space do…
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All around the dimly-lit tent are enduring symbols of a constant presence. A name scrawled across a wooden wall, a lengthy list of deployment dates written underneath, updated year after year. A library stacked with books and games to pass the time. A built-in couch labeled “Snooze Town.” All the things people to do to make a place feel like home are apparent in this place where its inhabitants often spend half their time each year. The 41st Electronic Combat Squadron and the 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron based out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, have been continuously deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and now the Resolute Support Mi…
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Lockheed Martin rolled out the first LM-100J Hercules airlifter from its Marietta production facility in Georgia on 9 February. This milestone for the civil variant of the military C-130J came approximately two years after the concept was launched by the company as it sought to broaden its market in the face of shrinking of global defense budgets in general, and of Pentagon budgets in particular. Lockheed Martin has filed for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) civil type certificate update and this first LM-100J will participate in flight test activity to support this process. Lockheed Martin rolled out the first LM-100J Hercules airlifter from …
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Airmen conducted a training flight using the first C-130J with a Block 8.1 upgrade at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 3, 2017. The Block 8.1 upgrade enhances GPS capabilities, communications systems, updated friend-or-foe identification and allows the C-130J to comply with worldwide air traffic management regulations. Additionally, the upgrade program will standardize aviation systems to improve interoperability Airmen conducted a training flight using the first C-130J with a Block 8.1 upgrade at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 3, 2017. The Block 8.1 upgrade enhances GPS capabilities, communications systems, updated friend-o…
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Chemical tanks, conveyer belts and intricate machines line the walls of the 19th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspections shop. The lights are turned off as one ultraviolet light shines a new spectrum of colors to an NDI technician. Shades of purple, blue and neon-green light up the dark as the Airman searches for what the naked eye can’t see. Just as a special investigator uses black lights searching for clues, NDI Airmen use them to identify potential cracks in a variety of aircraft parts. “We specialize in preventative maintenance,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Derik Shannon, 19th MXS NDI craftsman. “We use noninvasive ways to inspec…
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As the train, advise and assist missions continue in Afghanistan, the Afghan Air Force is taking the lead from Coalition in supporting ground troops through air power. Maintenance air advisors from Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air (TAAC-Air), 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, are working side-by-side with their AAF counterparts to develop a professional, capable and sustainable air force. At the beginning of 2014, the AAF received C-130H models in which currently four crews are trained and in full mission capable status. “Providing a platform like the C-130H to the AAF increases their capacity for airlift, casualty evacuation, and troop transport,” said …
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Rolls-Royce has secured a $73.6 million task order to sustain the propulsion systems of the US Air Force's fleet of C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. The company will also provide inventory control point management, repair, sustaining engineering and technical data support services under the task order, the Defense Department said Thursday. Rolls-Royce has secured a $73.6 million task order to sustain the propulsion systems of the US Air Force's fleet of C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. The company will also provide inventory control point management, repair, sustaining engineering and technical data support services under the…
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With the new C-130J Super Hercules coming to Yokota Air Base, the 374th Operations Support Squadrons Aircrew Flight Equipment Flight has been preparing for their arrival. The AFE flight is responsible for all the flight crews and passengers’ survival and life support equipment on an aircraft. From oxygen masks, helmets, life-rafts and parachutes the AFE flight ensures that all the equipment functions properly so the aircrew can accomplish their mission; and if the worst should happen, the aircrew will have the necessary equipment to get them through. With the new C-130J Super Hercules coming to Yokota Air Base, the 374th Operations Support Squadrons Ai…
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“Our mission is to train the best C-130 aircrews in the world,” said Mark Wilderman, 314th AW historian. Before the 314th AW became the Center of Excellence C-130 schoolhouse, it was known as the 314th Transport Carrier Group. Since its activation in March 1942, the 314th TCG has undergone many name changes and played a vital role in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. “Our mission is to train the best C-130 aircrews in the world,” said Mark Wilderman, 314th AW historian. Before the 314th AW became the Center of Excellence C-130 schoolhouse, it was known as the 314th Transport Carrier Group. Since its activation in March 1942…
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The 908th Airlift Wing transferred the heritage of aircraft 85-0042 c/n 5089 known as Roll Tide to aircraft number 89-1188 c/n 5197 Jan 20. The transfer was completed by the University of Alabama mascot, Big Al, and Col. Don Richey commander of the 908th Operations Group The transfer marks the departure and retirement of aircraft 42 after having flown more than 12,000 hours in the 31 years since it arrived at Maxwell. It has deployed in support of most/all of the named contingencies in the Middle East and Africa since then. It has also supported humanitarian and relief operations, following hurricanes and floods at home and abroad. The 908th Airlift Wing…
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Members of the Brazilian air force are returning to the site of an Antarctic crash from more than two years ago to dismantle the remains of their Hercules C-130. The plane's engines and lubricants in the aircraft had already been removed to ensure they did not leak and cause any environmental impact to Antarctica - a condition of Brazil being a signatory to the Madrid Protocol. A Brazilian Air Force pilot crashed the rescue plane while landing at Teniente R Marsh Airport, Antarctica's northernmost airfield on King George Island, on 27 November 2014. Members of the Brazilian air force are returning to the site of an Antarctic cr…
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Current and former members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 211th Rescue Squadron bid farewell to the last of their HC-130N aircraft Jan. 17 as it departed here for Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. The HC-130 variants of the C-130 family of aircraft are designed for long-range search-and-rescue missions. They are set up to provide command and control, airdrop of pararescue personnel and equipment, and perform air-refueling missions for helicopters like the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flown by the 211th’s sister unit, the 210th Rescue Squadron. Current and former members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 211th Rescue Squadron bid farewell to the last o…
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The US Department of Defence has contracted Sierra Nevada Corporation to supply an electronic intelligence (ELINT) capability to Egypt for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. The contract was awarded on 10 January, according to the US Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website, and is worth $727 277. The US Department of Defence has contracted Sierra Nevada Corporation to supply an electronic intelligence (ELINT) capability to Egypt for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. The contract was awarded on 10 January, according to the US Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website, and is worth $727 277. The contract award notice did not provide any further informa…
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The Israeli air force is equipping its Lockheed Martin C-130J ("Samson") tactical transports with an advanced self-protection system against the threat of surface-to-air missiles. As Israel continues to receive deliveries of the US-built transport, the air force's flight test centre has been performing operational tests of new countermeasures equipment based on highly-accurate decoy flares. This work has been conducted as part of a wider activity to equip the service's C-130Js with systems to support the missions of the Israeli defence forces' depth command. The Israeli air force is equipping its Lockheed Martin C-130J ("Samson") tactical transports with …
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The United States has offered Niger an ex-US Air Force WC-130H Hercules aircraft under its Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme. The most recent EDA database notes that the Hercules was offered on 9 November 2015, but has yet to be accepted. According to Air Forces Daily, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, has a single WC-130H in storage. This was formerly operated by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Airlift Wing/198th Airlift Squadron at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Puerto Rico. Several more are still in active service with Puerto Rico’s Air…
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Take a group of U.S. Air Force C-5 maintainers fresh from a C-17 project. Team them with C-130 maintenance professionals and what do you get? Success for the U.S. Navy … in the sky. Thanks to the partnership of two 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group squadrons, nine Navy airlifters now have state-of-the-art missile protection. A project to retrofit Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, Advanced Threat Warning Systems onto the Navy C-130Js arrived at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in fiscal year 2016. It was completed ahead of schedule in early fiscal year 2017 through the combined efforts of the 559th A…
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Aerospace enterprise Fábrica Argentina de Aviones SA (FAdeA) has completed another round of C-130 military transport aircraft upgrades for the Argentina’s air force. That was reported by fadeasa.com.ar. The modernization involves five aircraft and the first C-130 was modified by L-3 last April. FAdeA took 18 months to complete the job on C-130, # TC-61. All three other C-130s will be upgraded between now and 2019. Fadea notes the initial contract took 18 months to complete, and included training services for Argentine technicians. Argentina plans to add 20 years of service life for all five of its C-130 aircraft. Aerospace enterprise…
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