2021
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Air Force Special Ops Wants Runway Independence, More Speed 7/14/2023 By Stew Magnuson Air Force photo TAMPA, Florida — Air Force Special Operations Command has a long technology wish list. The command is tasked with transporting commandos covertly, quickly and across long distances and to penetrate where other aircraft can’t normally go. Naturally, it wants to improve its performance in all these categories, especially the latter, taking personnel to locations where there are no runways — a job best carried out by rotary-wing aircraft. But what if almost three-fourths of the planet could serve as a runway by allowing fixed-wing aircraft t…
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Amphibious MC-130J Transport Is On Special Operations Command's Wishlist There have been proposals for a waterborne C-130 Hercules in the past, but the U.S. special operations community might just make it a reality. By Thomas Newdick and Joseph Trevithick May 19, 2021 SOCOM The U.S. military is once again looking at the potential of an amphibious C-130 Hercules variant to operate from littoral areas in support of special operations forces. The project, which in its early stages, has yielded an artist’s concept of an MC-130J Commando II multi-mission combat transport fitted with large underslung floats mounted on the fuselage. The MC-130J is the …
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Brazilian Air Force launches paratroopers with its final C-130 Hercules Ricardo Meier January 31, 2024 FAB 2476 aircraft had not flown since December and was officially deactivated. Farewell to Lockheed turboprop could occur on February 18 After leaving it on the ground for 45 days, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) returned to flying with its last C-130 Hercules on January 30th. The tactical transport aircraft took off from Galeão Air Base, where it is based, to Campo dos Afonsos, both in Rio de Janeiro, in order to launch paratroopers. The flight was recorded on video and shows the turboprop preparing to take off and dropping sold…
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Built on the Backs of Giants: Cannon's First AC-130J Ghostrider By Senior Airman Marcel Williams, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published July 20, 2021 Airmen with Hurlburt Field, Florida and Cannon Air Force Base delivered a new AC-130J Ghostrider gunship to the 27th Special Operations Wing’s specialized fleet July 19, 2021. The arrival of Cannon’s first AC-130J Ghostrider represents a significant expansion of force generation capacity as the Air Force Special Operations Command structures for the reemergence of great power competition, tightening fiscal constraints, and the accelerating rate of technological change, demanding significant tra…
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — All eyes were on the skies Sunday at the 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston. Wing Commander Col. Bryan Preece flew in one of the first two C-130J-30 aircraft arriving on base as a few hundred spectators including West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) leadership, current members of the 130th Airlift Wing, military families, and retirees looked on. The 130th Airlift Wing was selected by the Air Force to convert to the C-130J30 Super Hercules in May. General Bill Crane “This is an incredible team. They have incredible leaders, incredible NCOs and incredible airmen. That alone is what has allowed us to ge…
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NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas – The 136th Airlift Wing Texas Air National Guard, part of the Texas Military Department, received its first of eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on July 24, 2021, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. During a Welcoming Reception, the aircraft was dedicated to Congresswoman Kay Granger and officially named, “The Kay Granger.” In her January e-newsletter, Congresswoman Granger, also a former Mayor of Fort Worth, commented on how proud she was that the wing was chosen to the new upgrade. “The Air Force’s decision comes after years of competition and evaluation of dozens of military bases,” …
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Recently, the 189th Airlift Wing’s 154th Training Squadron was selected by Air National Guard leaders, to be the official home of the Guard’s C-130J training program. This preliminary decision is a milestone in solidifying the future for the 189 AW. While nothing changes for the foreseeable future for the unit’s C-130H training, the 154 TRS will stay in the business of what they do best… training TAC airlifters! The C-130 has supported the Air National Guard mission for more than 50 years, transporting troops, cargo, vehicles and much more. While the 189th’s formal training mission of training crews in the C-130H aircraft will continue for the lifecycle of the aircra…
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Remembering the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, provides little cause to celebrate for the vast majority of United States citizens, including members of the Armed Forces. Many face the day with somber reverence to the memory of all the victims and the heroes that sacrificed themselves that day (and for the 20 years since) so that others may live in peace and security. The significance is not lost on the Airmen of the 908th Airlift Wing, who, despite continuing to conduct tactical airlift missions around the globe, made it a priority to execute a flyover of Braly Stadium, home to the University of North Alabama Lions. “To see such a beautiful sight of your C-13…
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For more than a year now the 908th Airlift Wing has been faced with the task of figuring out how to protect its members and their families from COVID-19 while still being able to answer the nation’s call when it comes. One of the first things the wing commander, Col. Craig Drescher, said in readjusting the wing’s priorities was that, “we have to find a way to lean forward and still accomplish and preserve as much of the mission as possible.” In the last year, the wing has taken the commander’s words to heart, as it knew it was facing the largest deployment in the history of the 908th AW this year. To help showcase the wing’s motto, “Readiness in Strength,” the 9…
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The aircraft the Minnesota Air National Guard used to transport airmen from around the country to President Joe Biden’s inauguration celebrates 50 years of service. The C-130A first flew its first mission for the 133rd Airlift Wing on Feb. 21, 1971. A half-century later, the cargo plane is still known for its ability to take off and land just about anywhere. "We go in and out of the small strips and on top of mountains, down deep in the valleys to much more austere locations than the larger jets," Col. Jamie Lindman, vice wing commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard sai…
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The United States military made history yesterday when it landed a C-130 aircraft on Highway 287 north of Rawlins during a joint training exercise. Moments after sunrise, the cargo plane burst through storm clouds to the east of the roadway at about 240 miles per hour. 500 feet off each wingtip was an A10. Known also as “flying guns,” A10’s are the Air Force’s primary low-altitude close support aircraft. Until yesterday, the Air Force had never landed a C130 on an American highway, although two A10’s landed on a Michigan highway earlier this month. Prior to that, such a feat had only been done in Estonia during the Cold War. With a wingspan of more than 132 feet,…
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A C-130 from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., went to Haiti over the weekend, carrying a team from U.S. Southern Command to assess the impact of a massive earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation Aug. 14. The C-130 Hercules from the 19th Airlift Wing took off from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Aug. 15. The 14-member SOUTHCOM Situational Awareness Team will work with American diplomats and disaster assistance personnel to survey and assess the impact of the 7.2-magnitude quake. The official death toll reached at least 1,297 on Aug. 16 and is expected to grow in the coming days. The results of that survey will he…
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Two C-130J transport aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force landed at Bangabandhu Air Force Base Bangabandhu, Kurmitola, Dhaka from China on Sunday (June 13) with 6 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine and syringes to prevent coronavirus. Also Read: Bangladesh and Austria held Foreign Office Consultations virtually on 8 June 2021 Two C-130J transport aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force return home from China with 6 lakh dose of coronavirus vaccineBangladesh Armed Forces are conducting various activities to prevent coronavirus following the policy published by the Government of Bangladesh under the direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Following this, as a sign of China’s f…
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Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units from across the country partnered to fly a large formation exercise called “Baltic Wolf” here Thursday. The exercise included aircraft and personnel from the 96th Airlift Squadron, Minneapolis, St. Paul Air Reserve Station, Minnesota; 357th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; 700th Airlift Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia; along with the 169th Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois, of the Illinois Air National Guard. Reserve Airmen piloting six C-130H3 Hercules aircraft participated in a large-formation employment that executed coordinated flight activity with tactical air drops. This type of exercise…
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Several U.S. Air Force aircraft including F-16s, C-130s, and KC-135s have deployed to northern Africa for the continent’s largest exercise, African Lion. The exercise drew 7,000 participants from nine nations and wraps up June 18 with USAF aircraft flying alongside Moroccan aircraft for close air support training and C-130s airdropping personnel. “The arrival of fighters and tankers adds another level to this already dynamic exercise,” said Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, in a release. “Every flight brings another opportunity to work closely with our partners and exchange best practices so we can better pursue ou…
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The C-130 air transport squadron being formed by France and Germany is to reach its initial operational capability (IOC) on 1 September as planned despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Luftwaffe announced on its website on 10 March. The squadron’s four French Air Force (FAF) C-130Js are stationed at Air Base 123 at Orléans-Bricy pending their move to Évreux in Normandy where the joint Franco-German air transport squadron will be based. The Luftwaffe reported that a maintenance hangar for three aircraft is being built at Évreux where 10 C-130Js will be based, half of which will be tanker versions. The 16-strong German national support element is scheduled to move to…
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LAJES, Portugal – Fifteen Airmen from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing participated in a NATO search and rescue exercise in the Azores led by the Portuguese Air Force July 27-30. ASAREX 2021 (Advanced Search and Rescue Exercise) included elements from the National Guard, the Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Portugal’s Maritime Police, Border Police and Civil Protection Force, and the Portuguese Air Force. Pararescue Airmen and an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue plane from the 106th took part in the exercise, based at Portugal’s Air Base No. 4 at Lajes on Terceira Island. The island chain is in a key location in the Atlantic.…
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A Philippine air force C-130 aircraft carrying combat troops crashed in a southern province while landing Sunday, killing at least 29 army soldiers on board and two civilians on the ground, while at least 50 were rescued from the burning wreckage, officials said. Some soldiers were seen jumping off the aircraft before it crashed and exploded around noon in the periphery of the Jolo airport in Sulu province, military officials said. Two of six villagers who were hit on the ground have died. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said rescue and recovery efforts were ongoing. The aircraft had 96 people on board, including three pilots and five crew and the rest were a…
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This wildfire season in the 48 contiguous states so far is turning out to be one to be remembered. Today nearly 25,000 personnel are working on suppressing 93 large fires across 14 states. In addition, another 47 fires are being managed under a strategy other than full suppression. In May the Forest Service said they would have 34 large air tankers (LAT) if needed — 18 on Exclusive Use Contracts guaranteed to work, plus 8 “surge” LATs guaranteed to work for a shorter period of time, and another 8 on Call When Needed (CWN) status. Of those 16 surge and CWN aircraft, only 5 could be produced in July. One LAT, a 737 owned by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service in Au…
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PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- The 302nd Airlift Wing has three C-130 Hercules aircraft flying sorties out of McClellan Air Tanker Base this year in Sacramento County, California, performing an aerial firefighting mission unique within the Air Force Reserve. Since first being activated July 20, the 302 AW has been working together with other military aircraft from Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd AW, Wyoming ANG’s 153rd AW, and California ANG’s 146th AW to drop millions of gallons of fire retardant in support of fire suppression efforts in California. On Aug. 25, all eight C-130 aerial firefighting aircraft were activated for the first time since …
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A C-130 pilot described his “rude awakening” when he first flew into Vietnam. What he thought were fireworks celebrating his arrival, was enemy ground fire. A C-130 combat pilot and veteran of 72 combat missions in Vietnam said the enemy fired on his hulking four engine cargo plane on every landing and takeoff but he never found a bullet hole in his plane. “My angels have been watching over me. That's all I can say. I've been very, very fortunate. I've been very blessed,” said Jim Warner, a 20-year veteran of the Air Force who earned the military’s highest award for heroics in the sky in 1972. “I was just doing my job. Just like the rest of the guys.…
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“The biggest US-Japan airborne operation in history” involved hundreds of Japanese soldiers parachuting from Air Force transport planes in the shadow of Mount Fuji, according to the 374th Airlift Wing. Photos of Tuesday’s training, dubbed Airborne 21, show paratroopers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 1st Airborne Brigade jumping from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to Yokota’s 36th Airlift Squadron. They landed at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji. The Air Force was fortunate to be able to support Airborne 21, an event led by the JGSDF, wing spokeswoman Capt. Caitlin Mott wrote in an email Friday to Stars and Stripes. “It involved the larg…
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Teaching the Commando new tricks By Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau, AFSOC Public Affairs / Published September 14, 2021 HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The C-130J is an incredibly versatile aircraft, and since it’s creation, it’s landed on rough fields, in arctic locations and even an aircraft carrier Yet, it cannot land on water, which covers about 71% of the planet. As national strategic objectives shift focus to littoral regions, Air Force Special Operations Command is advancing new approaches to expand the multi-mission platform's runway independence and expeditionary capacity. In partnership with the Air Force Research Lab's Strategic Development Planning and …
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Teaching the Commando new tricks By Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau, AFSOC Public Affairs / Published September 14, 2021 HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The C-130J is an incredibly versatile aircraft, and since it’s creation, it’s landed on rough fields, in arctic locations and even an aircraft carrier Yet, it cannot land on water, which covers about 71% of the planet. As national strategic objectives shift focus to littoral regions, Air Force Special Operations Command is advancing new approaches to expand the multi-mission platform's runway independence and expeditionary capacity. In partnership with the Air Force Research Lab's Strategic Development Planning and …
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Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules aircraft is not just the workhorse for the military but also a super achiever. In its career that has spanned over two decades, this aircraft has landed in the Arctic, on the highest airstrip, and even an aircraft carrier carrying out medevac, troop, and cargo transport. The US Air Force now plans to make it a seaplane as well, thereby making it possible for this mighty aircraft to land anywhere across the globe. To ensure that the new version of the aircraft is not just limited to water bodies, the Air Force Special Operations Command is partnering with the Air Force Research Lab's Strategic Development Planning and Experimen…
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