2017
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Britt Coulson told us today that their most recently converted air tanker, Tanker 133 will be complete by the end of this week (see above photo). It will be the third in the C-130 series that the company has converted and is their second L-382G, which is a civilian version of the C-130. Their first L-382G, Tanker 132, was first grid tested in 2015 and in recent months was on contract to Australia. T-133 should be complete before the company begins pilot training at the end of this month. Britt Coulson told us today that their most recently converted air tanker, Tanker 133 will be complete by the end of this week (see above photo). It will be the third in the C-…
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Parts of South America have been underwater for weeks as heavy and torrential downpours have washed away city streets, buildings and, in some cases, entire villages in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. At the request of the Peruvian government, the US Air Force on April 4 dispatched two C-130Js from Little Rock AFB in Arkansas. For the past week, Capt. Patrick Steppe, instructor pilot with the 61st Airlift Squadron, and his crew have been up and down in the Hercules, moving hundreds of thousands of pounds of equipment and food to stranded or displaced families. Parts of South America have been underwater for weeks as heavy and torrential downpours have w…
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The US military has dropped an enormous bomb in Afghanistan, according to four US military officials with direct knowledge of the mission. A GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), nicknamed the "mother of all bombs," was dropped at 7:32 pm local time Thursday, the sources said. A MOAB is a 21,600-pound, GPS-guided munition that is America's most powerful non-nuclear bomb. “As ISIS-K’s losses have mounted, they are using [improvised bombs], bunkers and tunnels to thicken their defense,” said Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, in a statement. “This is the right munition to reduce these obstacles and maintain the momentum o…
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The flightline hustle and bustle -- the constant drone of C-130 engines and coordinated ramp movements after more than 40 Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System training sorties -- has come to an end. It would seem this day of training is over. But for the aircraft maintainers, in a way, their day has just begun. “We are the first to get here, and the last to leave,” said Tech. Sgt. Vic Bejarano, 302nd Maintenance Group and one of the dozens of maintenance personnel supporting this year’s MAFFS certification training event in Boise, Idaho. The flightline hustle and bustle -- the constant drone of C-130 engines and coordinated ramp movements after more than 40…
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BOISE, Idaho — 121 sorties. 124 flight hours. 373,900 gallons of water dropped. Impressive statistics for firefighting aircrew members and personnel from four different C-130 military units participating in a five-day Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System annual training sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service here. The training included Air National Guard units from California, Nevada and Wyoming and one from the U.S. Air Force Reserve in Colorado. In all, 400 people from multiple agencies worked the training and certification operation. BOISE, Idaho — 121 sorties. 124 flight hours. 373,900 gallons of water dropped. Impressive statistics for firefighting a…
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Coulson Aviation distributed this photo today of their three C-130-type air tankers lined up at Reno for “USFS carding”. As we reported on April 10, they introduced their third tanker this month, another L-382G. They also have a C-130Q. The tanker numbers when used in the USA are 131, 132, and 133. At the end of this month the company will be conducting their annual pilot training. Coulson Aviation distributed this photo today of their three C-130-type air tankers lined up at Reno for “USFS carding”. As we reported on April 10, they introduced their third tanker this month, another L-382G. They also have a C-130Q. The tanker numbers when used in th…
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Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here are undergoing a transition during their deployment here. These Airmen deployed from the 103rd and 145th Airlift Wings, from Connecticut and North Carolina respectively, have come together to maintain the C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft. The desert assignment is Connecticut’s first time being deployed with the airframe while for North Carolina, it is last time it will deploy to maintain the Hercules. SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here are undergoing a transition during their deployment h…
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U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gregory Ferguson, the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), along with an MC-130H Talon II aircraft and its crew, recently visited the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) to recognize and pay tribute to the group’s contribution to the AFSOC mission. The command’s MC-130H and AC-130 Gunship platforms are currently undergoing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and a specialized team here is playing a key role in the MC-130H and AC-130 sustainment program by refurbishing outer wing sets. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. …
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On April 28, two Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft of Philippine Air Force 220th Airlift Wing have transported essential military supplies to Armed Forces of the Philippines units fighting ISIS-inspired Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Sur. The two aircraft, with tail number 3633 and 4704, transported loads of ammunition from Clark Air Base to Laguindingan Airport. On April 28, two Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft of Philippine Air Force 220th Airlift Wing have transported essential military supplies to Armed Forces of the Philippines units fighting ISIS-inspired Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Sur. The two aircraft, with tail numbe…
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C-130 News: Lockheed Martin to use Honeywell weather radar solution on new commercial freighter
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Honeywell (NYSE: HON) will provide IntuVue RDR-4000 and 4000M Weather Radar systems, the commercial and military versions of its 3-D weather radar solution, to Lockheed Martin for use on its new LM-100J Super Hercules commercial freighter, the company said. The LM-100J is expected to operate in severe weather conditions and the radar enables pilots to operate in difficult environments. Honeywell (NYSE: HON) will provide IntuVue RDR-4000 and 4000M Weather Radar systems, the commercial and military versions of its 3-D weather radar solution, to Lockheed Martin for use on its new LM-100J Super Hercules commercial freighter, the company said. The …
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After more than four years, the U.S. Air Force has shown off one of its first AC-130W Stinger II gunships to carry a 105mm howitzer. After initially making the controversial decision to leave it out of the plane’s weapons load out, based on combat experience and user feedback, the Air Force smartly reversed course and rushed to fit the massive cannon onto the aircraft. After more than four years, the U.S. Air Force has shown off one of its first AC-130W Stinger II gunships to carry a 105mm howitzer. After initially making the controversial decision to leave it out of the plane’s weapons load out, based on combat experience and user feedback, the Air For…
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A planned mid-life upgrade for Sweden’s six-strong Lockheed Martin C-130H HERCULES transports could reduce the fleet by up to half at any given time, the air force has claimed, adding strain to the already modest fleet. Speaking to media in Stockholm, Col. Magnus Liljegren, Head of the Air Force Department, said that under Sweden’s government bill defense review of 2015 that covered requirements for 2016-2020, it was mandated that the availability of the transport fleet be increased. A planned mid-life upgrade for Sweden’s six-strong Lockheed Martin C-130H HERCULES transports could reduce the fleet by up to half at any given time, the air force h…
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Two C-130J Super Hercules along with about 80 Airmen attached to the 86th Airlift Wing from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deployed to Israel in support of exercise Juniper Falcon from May 7-18, 2017. The 37th Airlift Squadron conducted airlift integration training with the Israeli Air Force. The integration was designed to build interoperability and maintain the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Israel, which has been developed during decades of cooperation. Two C-130J Super Hercules along with about 80 Airmen attached to the 86th Airlift Wing from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deployed to Israel in support of exercise Juniper Falcon from May 7-18, 2017.…
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The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing's annual support for National Science Foundation research in Greenland got underway in April and May, as wing members delivered 177 tons of cargo and 2,000 gallons of fuel during the season's first three-week rotation. The second rotation of three LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft and 80 airmen departed May 15. The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing's annual support for National Science Foundation research in Greenland got underway in April and May, as wing members delivered 177 tons of cargo and 2,000 gallons of fuel during the season's first three-week rotation. The second rotation of th…
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Air Force Reserve Command recently announced that the 403rd Maintenance Group was one of 18 units that earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 2015. The 403rd MXG is responsible for the launch, recovery and routine care of 10 C-130J and 10 WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft worth $1.3 billion. These aircraft perform tactical airlift missions as well as the only Department of Defense weather reconnaissance mission. Air Force Reserve Command recently announced that the 403rd Maintenance Group was one of 18 units that earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 2015. The 403rd MXG is responsible for the launch, recovery and routine care of 10 C-130J…
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Israel's air force has formally split its "Knights of the Yellow Bird" squadron into two separate units: one operating upgraded Lockheed Martin C-130Hs; and the other equipped with the new-generation J-model Hercules. New avionics equipment installed in the modernised C-130H by Elbit Systems requires a new phase of training for aircrew and ground personnel, with the air force planning to have a joint simulator capability available to support both models. Israel's air force has formally split its "Knights of the Yellow Bird" squadron into two separate units: one operating upgraded Lockheed Martin C-130Hs; and the other equipped with the new-generati…
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The Lockheed Martin LM-100J (c/n 5818) commercial freighter aircraft has completed its first flight. This first flight followed the same test flight route over north Georgia and Alabama, USA that is used for all C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The LM-100J will complete initial production flight tests and then begin Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate update flight test requirements. The LM-100J is the 17th different mission capability developed for the C-130J Super Hercules and it is an updated version of the L-100 cargo aircraft, which Lockheed Martin produced from 1964-1992. The Lockheed Martin LM-100J commercial freighter aircr…
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These are photos of an air tanker that you don’t see every day. The C-130Q that Coulson recently acquired, was being moved from Tucson to another facility in Mesa, Arizona where it will be transformed into Coulson’s fourth C-130 air tanker, Tanker #134. Obviously it needs a little work. These are photos of an air tanker that you don’t see every day. The C-130Q that Coulson recently acquired, was being moved from Tucson to another facility in Mesa, Arizona where it will be transformed into Coulson’s fourth C-130 air tanker, Tanker #134. Obviously it needs a little work. It is the second C-130Q that they have acquired. The first was Tanker 131 that entered s…
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Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group increased military cooperation with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the fourth iteration of Exercise Teak Net, which took place April 15-18, 2017 at RNZAF Base Auckland and April 18-28, 2017 at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, New Zealand. “The military cooperation between the U.S. and New Zealand is important as we attempt to address some of the world’s greatest challenges,” said Col William Freeman, 353rd SOG commander. “Exercise Teak Net is a classic example of a perfect exchange in which we are learning a lot from our partners in the areas of maintenance, medical and flying operations. We have reciprocated through …
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It’s true. Good things really do come in small packages. This was recently proven out by the Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) C-130T Electronic Propeller Control System and Engine Instrument Display System (EPCS/EIDS) team. The three person EPCS/EIDS team’s actions resulted in installations of the systems in 19 KC-130 aircraft in record time -- on cost and ahead of the original schedule. It’s true. Good things really do come in small packages. This was recently proven out by the Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) C-130T Electronic Propeller Control System and Engine Instrument Display System (EPCS/EIDS) team. The three person EPCS/E…
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Airmen from the Alaska Air National Guard accepted the first HC-130J Combat King II assigned to an U.S. Air National Guard unit at the Lockheed Martin facility. This HC-130J will be operated by the 211th Rescue Squadron (RQS), 176th Wing stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The 211th RQS previously operated legacy HC-130P aircraft to support personnel recovery missions in Alaska and the Pacific Theater. These aircraft also act as aerial refuelers, providing support to the HH-60 Pave Hawk search-and-rescue helicopters that are also assigned to the 176th Wing. This is the first of four HC-130Js that will be delivered to the Alaska Guard. …
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With the recent first flight of the LM-100J commercial version of the C-130J Hercules, manufacturer Lockheed Martin has embarked on a year-long flight-test program that will involve two aircraft. The company expects to complete the type design update process with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration by next year. The inaugural freighter made its first flight on May 25 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia, where Lockheed Martin shares a runway and conducts first flights of all production C-130s. Commanded by LM-100J chief test pilot Wayne Roberts, the aircraft flew for three hours over north Georgia and Alabama and returned to Dobbins Wit…
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Two 815th Airlift Squadron crews from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi participated in a six-ship multinational airborne mission here in the Normandy region June 4, to commemorate D-Day 73. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Infantry Divisions dropped into France in the opening moments of what would become known as “The Longest Day.” Two 815th Airlift Squadron crews from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi participated in a six-ship multinational airborne mission here in the Normandy region June 4, to commemorate D-Day 73. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Infa…
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There are now two fire air tankers at the Santa Maria Airport. The C-130 typically stations out in Sacramento has been moved to Santa Maria after the base closed. The C-130 arrived Saturday and can hold 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. There are now two fire air tankers at the Santa Maria Airport. The C-130 typically stations out in Sacramento has been moved to Santa Maria after the base closed. The C-130 arrived Saturday and can hold 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. Fire crews say they are ready for this fire season. "Last winter was such a wet winter that the fire season this year on the West Coast is expecte…
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An airshow favorite across America, the C-130T transport known as Fat Albert has not attended an airshow since last July following the Blue Angels maintenance team’s decision to begin a complete overhaul on the aging aircraft. Bert’s maintenance at Hill Air Force Base in Utah has involved the removal and upgrade of it’s four turboprop engines; the removal and structural inspection of its wings; wiring inspections and repairs; and a complete paint removal followed by a new paint job. An airshow favorite across America, the C-130T transport known as Fat Albert has not attended an airshow since last July following the Blue Angels maintenance team’s decision to beg…
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