casey Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Twenty-four whirring propeller blades sang a deafening tune as a Super Hercules cargo plane barreled down Yokota’s wet runway Friday morning in western Tokyo. Picking up speed, the aircraft lifted off the pavement, its gray body swiftly obscured by clouds dark with rain. The takeoff marked the beginning of the first operational flight by one of the 374th Airlift Wing’s new C-130J aircraft since the first arrived earlier this year. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Twenty-four whirring propeller blades sang a deafening tune as a Super Hercules cargo plane barreled down Yokota’s wet runway Friday morning in western Tokyo. Picking up speed, the aircraft lifted off the pavement, its gray body swiftly obscured by clouds dark with rain. The takeoff marked the beginning of the first operational flight by one of the 374th Airlift Wing’s new C-130J aircraft since the first arrived earlier this year. Yokota pilots underwent months of training on the J model, which boasts more advanced avionics compared to the venerable H model that’s being phased out. Mechanical controls on the old planes, which are being sent to Air National Guard units in the states, are replaced by computers and digital systems on the Super Hercs. “It’s been three months learning to fly the J, and I’m very excited to get my chance to fly a mission with it,” said Lt. Col. Jesse Klaetsch, a pilot with the 36th Airlift Squadron. “It’s nice to do what you’ve been trained to do.” Source: https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/super-hercules-operational-debut-a-wet-one-at-yokota-air-base-japan-1.476019#.WWJTyrpFyHt By LEON COOK | STARS AND STRIPES Published: June 30, 2017 Note: C-130J-30 15-5813 c/n 5813 View full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.