casey

The Savannah Professional Firefighters Association says it is a C-130 Hercules military airplane that crashed. A massive number of emergency responders are on the scene of a military plane crash on GA-21 at Gulfstream Road in Port Wentworth. The call went out for a reported "plane down" just before noon Wednesday. Witnesses called WTOC and reported actually seeing the plane go down. The Savannah Professional Firefighters Association says it is a C-130 Hercules military airplane that crashed. View full article

Sorry to hear the news. May he rest in peace.

4992 was the aircraft they lost. Libya sent several L-382G's to Italy to be modified to C-130H-30 standard with paradoors, LOX and military avionics. This was one of them.

Related Articles/links: https://www.libyanexpress.com/military-plane-crashes-in-sharara-oilfield-in-libya-three-killed-including-pilot/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-crash/three-dead-after-transport-plane-crashes-at-libya-oilfield-idUSKBN1I00CO http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20180429-1

The plane suffered an explosion during take-off at the Sharara oilfield in southern Libya, also injuring a fourth crew member, said Mohammad al-Zardumi, an official who works at the oilfield. So far, the cause of the crash has not yet been established. The plane suffered an explosion during take-off at the Sharara oilfield in southern Libya, also injuring a fourth crew member, said Mohammad al-Zardumi, an official who works at the oilfield. So far, the cause of the crash has not yet been established. Brigadier Ahmad Alal, who heads military forces guarding the oilfield, said a technical problem was likely behind the crash of the C-130 plane. A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plane had developed an engine problem following take-off. The aircraft belonged to the Libyan army, the official told dpa. It was being used to deliver food supplies to the site. Sharara is the biggest oilfield in Libya. The country’s economy, which has been battered by seven years of nationwide strife, relies heavily on revenue from oil sales. The plane in question is the property of the Libyan Air Force but was chartered by Akakus Oil, who operate the Sharara field. The company was forced to charter the aircraft due to road closures and the security situation on the ground stemming from a road blockade leading to the field. View full article

Desert One, 38 years ago tomorrow. Raises your glasses to the heroes of Operation Eagle Claw. God bless you all --Casey.

The Coast Guard is upgrading its fleet of multipurpose airplanes at an air station in Alaska to a newer model, officials said. The current fleet of five C-130H airplanes at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak will be replaced with the C-130J Super Hercules model over the next two years, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported. The Coast Guard is upgrading its fleet of multipurpose airplanes at an air station in Alaska to a newer model, officials said. The current fleet of five C-130H airplanes at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak will be replaced with the C-130J Super Hercules model over the next two years, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported. Besides moving cargo and personnel, the military transport airplanes are used for search and rescue and law enforcement operations, said Charly Hengen, a Coast Guard public affairs officer. The C-130J model, built by the Lockheed Martin Corp., has been updated with newer technology. It’s also equipped with capabilities allowing it to ascend higher and faster, and take off and land on shorter runways. The first new aircraft is expected to arrive at the air station this summer. The rest of the fleet will be replaced by 2020. The air station has begun construction on projects to support the new aircraft, including building a liquid oxygen facility, Hengen said. The airplanes are not pressurized, so liquid oxygen is carried to provide air. The current planes use compressed oxygen gas. Hengen said the new planes require a support staff of 19, who will be either trained on base or swapped out with current service members. The air station expects to add five personnel to the base as a result of the upgraded aircraft. About 1,000 service members operate on the base. View full article

Sgt Paul Meyer took the Hercules C-130E transporter from Mildenhall, Suffolk, in a bid to fly home to his wife Jane in Virginia in May 1969. It disappeared from radar in the middle of the English Channel, as Sgt Meyer flew it after a night of drinking. Sgt Paul Meyer took the Hercules C-130E transporter from Mildenhall, Suffolk, in a bid to fly home to his wife Jane in Virginia in May 1969. It disappeared from radar in the middle of the English Channel, as Sgt Meyer flew it after a night of drinking. The Deeper Dorset group is to use sonar gear to search for the crash site. The official record of the crash recounted how after the heavy drinking session, Sgt Meyer, 23, escaped police custody, impersonated a captain and ordered the Hercules to be re-fuelled before taking to the skies. It described his action as a "highly irrational act" and said he was "under considerable emotional stress". The mechanic who had previously served in Vietnam, had been refused leave shortly beforehand. His stepson Henry, who was seven at the time of the crash, said he remembered Sgt Meyer as a "genuinely good young man". He said he had been keen to return home to help Henry's mother in a custody battle. "Paul was a patriot and loved his country - it seems he just loved his family more," he said. "This may or may not find an answer to what happened, but we are so gratified and it'll give our family some closure. It means so much that people haven't forgotten Paul." Simon Brown, of Deeper Dorset, said the group had studied official records, as well as tidal movements and weather conditions to identify the crash site. He said they had "five good targets" within 10 square miles of seabed mid-channel, about 30 miles off Portland Bill. Mr Brown admitted finding definitive proof of what happened to Sgt Meyer would be "very, very difficult". "He did a fantastic job to get a complex plane off the runway - to fly solo is quite an amazing feat. "Whether he flew into cloud and got disorientated, or was shot down, we're not discounting anything." The group has launched a crowdfunding appeal for £6,000 and aims to start sonar scans of the seabed later in the year. View full article

I thought it to be the appropriate thing to do. He was a good friend and he played a huge roll in the success of C-130Hercules.net. I owe him a lot and he is/will certainly be missed by the C-130 community. May God bless him, his friends and his family. --Casey

In one form or another, the C-130 Hercules has been associated with Hill Air Force Base for more than 50 years. But by early summer, a process will begin to phase the military’s longest continuously produced aircraft off the base for good. In a press release, the Air Force announced this week the C-130 depot maintenance work being performed at Hill's Ogden Air Logistics Complex will begin to transition to Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia in June. In one form or another, the C-130 Hercules has been associated with Hill Air Force Base for more than 50 years. But by early summer, a process will begin to phase the military’s longest continuously produced aircraft off the base for good. In a press release, the Air Force announced this week the C-130 depot maintenance work being performed at Hill's Ogden Air Logistics Complex will begin to transition to Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia in June. The move is necessary to create more resources for an uptick in F-35 related maintenance work at the Ogden ALC, the release says. The Department of Defense’s 2019 budget request includes an increase in production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, with a plan for the DOD to purchase 77 F-35s at $10.7 billion. The 77 jets are seven more than were purchased in 2018 and 14 more than in 2017. Hill’s ALC performs maintenance on all Air Force F-35s. “Given the projected (F-35 workload) growth, we're preparing for additional workload in the coming years and have postured our resources and processes to meet the sustainment needs of the F-35 now and in the future,” said a statement provided to the Standard-Examiner last week by the base’s public affairs office. Hill didn’t provide details on how its plan for F-35 growth would be accomplished, but it’s clear now the C-130 is a casualty of the next-generation fighter jet. The C-130 is one of the military’s most versatile aircraft. According to a Hill fact sheet, it’s the primary transport vehicle for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. It’s used for medical and natural disaster relief missions, weather reconnaissance, firefighting, aerial refueling, search and rescue and more. The plane has been a familiar sight in Northern Utah skies for decades. In the 1960s, Hill supported operations in the Vietnam conflict by airlifting hundreds of tons of munitions into the region using the C-130 and other transport aircraft, according to the fact sheet. The large-scale, depot maintenance work on the plane that will move to Warner Robins began at Hill in 1988. View full article

Members, I received word this morning that Bob Daley passed away on 25 December. DALEY, Robert A. Jr. Lt. Colonel-USAF Retired Of Dallas Texas, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2017. Beloved husband of Mercedes (Chen). Son of the late Robert A. and Catherine A. (Hayward) Daley. Brother of M. Christine Schumacher and her husband Kurt of Greenville, South Carolina; Richard J. Daley and his wife Karen Lisa of East Freetown, Massachusetts; and the late Catherine M. Daley of West Roxbury. Uncle of Elizabeth Barahona of Dallas, Texas and Great Uncle of Franco R. Lopez of Dallas, Texas. Bob grew up in West Roxbury and was an Eagle Scout from St. Theresa's Parish. Bob was a 1964 graduate of Boston Latin School and a 1968 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Upon graduation Bob served in the U.S. Air Force, Viet Nam, and later the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He was a pilot for Southwest Airlines until his retirement. Interment with Military Honors at the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne, MA, on Friday, January 5th at 1:15PM. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Theresa's Church, West Roxbury on Saturday, January 6th at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Bob's memory to St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132. William J. Gormley Funeral Service gormleyfuneral.com Published in The Boston Globe on Dec. 31, 2017 Please keep his friends and family in your prayers. --Casey

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on Feb. 9. This Super Hercules is an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations aircraft that is assigned to the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The C-130J Super Hercules is the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules aircraft, with operators in 17 nations. To date, the global fleet of C-130Js has surpassed more than 1.7 million flight hours supporting almost any mission requirement — any time, any place Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on Feb. 9. This Super Hercules is an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations aircraft that is assigned to the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The C-130J Super Hercules is the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules aircraft, with operators in 17 nations. To date, the global fleet of C-130Js has surpassed more than 1.7 million flight hours supporting almost any mission requirement — any time, any place. "We celebrate this accomplishment with our employees, industry partners and the Super Hercules operator community that spans 17 countries," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. "These first 400 C-130Js meet a global demand for the proven performance and unmatched versatility found only in a Super Hercules. Its durability, relevancy and capability will continue to set the C-130J apart as the world's choice in tactical airlift for decades to come." The C-130J is defined by its versatility. To date, the C-130J supports 17 different mission configurations to include transport (military and commercial), firefighting, search and rescue, Special Operations, weather reconnaissance, and aerial refueling. This aircraft has another distinction in addition to being the 400th C-130J delivered: it is the 13th MC-130J to be converted into an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. It will be assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J that provides close-air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. The U.S. government operates the largest C-130J Super Hercules fleet in the world. This delivery represents the U.S. government's continued transition to the C-130J as the common platform across Air Mobility Command, AFSOC, Air Combat Command, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. The Air National Guard and Reserve still operate a mixed fleet of C-130J and legacy aircraft. View full article

In the wake of a deadly magnitude 6.0 quake which struck eastern Taiwan on Feb. 6 and caused four buildings to collapse in Hualien, Singapore is reportedly sending a crew on a transport aircraft to Taiwan to assist in rescue efforts. In the wake of a deadly magnitude 6.0 quake which struck eastern Taiwan on Feb. 6 and caused four buildings to collapse in Hualien, Singapore is reportedly sending a crew on a transport aircraft to Taiwan to assist in rescue efforts. Singaporean aviation fans at the Singapore Airshow 2018 spotted C-130 Hercules transport aircraft loaded with relief supplies taking off at 8:08 a.m. this morning at Paya Lebar Air Base. According to a Liberty Times report, it was confirmed by the local government of Hualien that C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying rescue staff and essential supplies took off from Singapore this morning and are set to arrive at Hualien Airport at 2:30 p.m., Taipei time, and are expected to unload the supplies by 4:30 p.m. However, Taiwan's National Security Council officials declined to confirm the news and remained low key about the matter. According to Hualien government, the cargo includes medical supplies, tents, flashlights, etc. The Assistant Secretary-General of Hualien County, Li Hung-man will greet the rescue crew on behalf of Hualien Mayor Fu Kun-chi. View full article

Atlanta’s Scientific Research Corp. is getting a $10.98 million Air Force contract. This firm-fixed-price contract is for installation and installation and integration of the AN/ALR-69A(V) radar warning receiver system on C-130H aircraft. Work will be performed in Warner Robins, Georgia, the Department of Defense said. Atlanta’s Scientific Research Corp. is getting a $10.98 million Air Force contract. This firm-fixed-price contract is for installation and installation and integration of the AN/ALR-69A(V) radar warning receiver system on C-130H aircraft. Work will be performed in Warner Robins, Georgia, the Department of Defense said. It’s expected to be complete by Oct. 19, 2022. Five offers were received in a competitive acquisition for the award. Fiscal 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $10,989,711 were being obligated at the time of award. The contract will be managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission, according to the Air Force website. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 operates throughout the U.S. Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command. Active-duty locations for the C-130 and its variations are Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and Yokota AB, Japan. Air Force Reserve locations for assigned C-130 models include Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia. Air National Guard locations for the C-130 and its variations include Savannah IAP (international airport) in Georgia. Read more here. Earlier this week, Scientific Research Corp. was named the winning bidder on an $86.7 million contract for the procurement of the Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) engineering, integration and installation aboard new construction ships for the Program Executive Office C4I. Read more here. Scientific Research Corp., whose corporate headquarters are located at 2300 Windy Ridge Parkway in Atlanta, was founded in 1988 to provide technology services to the U.S. government, private industry, and international markets. It is focused on a broad range of information, communications, intelligence, electronic warfare, simulation, training, and instrumentation systems. The company has engineering offices located across the United States. View full article

Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group has won the contract to support the Swedish Air Force fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft, by providing depth maintenance services. Försvarets materielverk, the Swedish Armed Forces Defense Materiel Administration, awarded the contract to Marshall. The renewal of this long-term contract will ensure that Marshall continues to provide support to its longest-standing international C-130 customer until the end of 2021, with an option to extend the contract. Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group has won the contract to support the Swedish Air Force fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft, by providing depth maintenance services. Försvarets materielverk, the Swedish Armed Forces Defense Materiel Administration, awarded the contract to Marshall. The renewal of this long-term contract will ensure that Marshall continues to provide support to its longest-standing international C-130 customer until the end of 2021, with an option to extend the contract. Since 1974 Marshall has supported the Swedish Armed Forces’ C-130 fleet with an unbroken maintenance program covering all levels of maintenance, engineering support, technical modifications, surge requirement support at base and supply chain services. Alistair McPhee, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group, commented: “We are proud to have won this contract to support the Swedish Air Force Fleet of C-130 aircraft. To have supported the Swedish Air Force for over four decades is incredible and I look forward to what we can achieve in the future.” Rupert Dix, Managing Director of Military Aerospace, Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group, commented: “The Swedish Air Force has trusted us for over 40 years to support their C-130 fleet and this new contract demonstrates, once again, both the value and service that we are committed to providing our customers”. Image: One of the Swedish C-130 aircraft supported by Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group View full article

UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced that it recently completed the first of two contracted Lockheed Martin C-130H propeller upgrades for the Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The company's next-gen NP2000 propeller system will help the Guard improve operational performance, and reduce maintenance time and cost. With its eight composite blades and enhanced electronic control system, the NP2000 offers several benefits to operators compared to legacy systems, including a reduction in vibration and noise; an increase in thrust; and associated fuel savings, depending on operating conditions. Operators can also replace individual blades on-wing without removing the entire propeller system, reducing maintenance time, while increasing the aircraft's availability. UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced that it recently completed the first of two contracted Lockheed Martin C-130H propeller upgrades for the Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The company's next-gen NP2000 propeller system will help the Guard improve operational performance, and reduce maintenance time and cost. With its eight composite blades and enhanced electronic control system, the NP2000 offers several benefits to operators compared to legacy systems, including a reduction in vibration and noise; an increase in thrust; and associated fuel savings, depending on operating conditions. Operators can also replace individual blades on-wing without removing the entire propeller system, reducing maintenance time, while increasing the aircraft's availability. As an upgrade for the C-130H's legacy mechanical control system from the 1960s, the NP2000 incorporates more electric and more intelligent technologies from UTC Aerospace Systems, including a digital electronic control system that improves speed holding and blade synchronization. These innovations provide greater comfort and safety for the crew as well as valuable fault diagnostics for aircraft maintenance teams. "UTC Aerospace Systems is proud to support the Air National Guard by enhancing the performance and reliability of its C-130H aircraft," said Propeller Systems General Manager Jean-Francois Chanut. "For the 153rd Airlift Wing in particular, the NP2000's increased thrust will help the unit in its firefighting missions. We look forward to continuing to work with the Air National Guard to increase operational efficiency through additional upgrades to its C-130H fleet." The two C-130H upgrades for the 153rd Airlift Wing are part of a larger UTC Aerospace Systems contract with the Guard which includes an additional 10 LC-130 upgrades for New York's 109th Airlift Wing that are currently underway. The Guard has identified seven wings flying the C-130H that will receive engine and propeller upgrades in the coming years. In addition to the C-130H and LC-130, the NP2000 is currently in service on the Northrop Grumman E-2 and C-2, and is planned for use on the Lockheed Martin P-3. Through its legacy Hamilton Sundstrand and Ratier-Figeac businesses, UTC Aerospace Systems has been designing, manufacturing and servicing propeller systems for more than 100 years. Its Propeller Systems business has three international sites and currently supplies and services a variety of propeller systems and critical flight control systems across commercial and military platforms around the world. View full article

The 374th Airlift Wing was recently name PACAF’s winner of the 2018 Air Force Association Verne Orr Award. The Air Force Association (AFA) established the award for the 14th Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr to highlight mission-oriented accomplishments and achievements by units that made the most effective use of its human resources. The 374th Airlift Wing was recently name PACAF’s winner of the 2018 Air Force Association Verne Orr Award. The Air Force Association (AFA) established the award for the 14th Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr to highlight mission-oriented accomplishments and achievements by units that made the most effective use of its human resources. Hoping to stand out amongst the other competitors, Yokota AB decided to take a unique approach to which unit they decided to nominate. Normally an air force installation will select a single unit who stands out amongst the rest. Yokota members looked at this and thought, ‘why not nominate the whole 374th Airlift Wing? ‘ “I don’t think it’s normal, usually it’s a smaller unit,” said Major Duy Nguyen 374th Airlift Wing executive officer over wing award and decoration programs. “I figured if we had all the stuff that our wing does collectively, it makes for a much stronger package. You combine together everything, especially with the strategic importance of Yokota, I definitely think it makes us a powerhouse to compete.” Beyond the impressive numbers submitted in the actual nomination package, the 374 AW has continually shown why they deserve such a prestigious award. In 2017, Yokota AB participated in 17 international exercises with 28 partner nations, hosted a presidential visit, developed a wing smart app that enabled personnel on base to have real time responses and answers and completed a total over hall of it’s ageing C-130H fleet and created a new J model transition training plan for other bases to follow. “We have a great team and everybody is dedicated and motivated to contribute and do their best,” Nguyen said. “I think that each member of this base, service members, contractor, civilian employee or spouse truly helps to create innovation and drive a lot of success’s in our wing.” According to Nguyen, it seems to boil down to the Airmen of Yokota Air Base who make winning awards like this possible. “Everybody is making a contribution along the way,” said Nguyen. “So I think they are all a piece of the Verne Orr Award. Hopefully we can get it at the Air Force level.” For now, Yokota will have to wait to see how they stack up against the other MAJCOMs. The AFA, will present the final award during the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2018 this September in Washington, DC. View full article

Approximately 50 Airmen and two C-130H3 Hercules assigned to the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, arrived at Monte Real Air Base, Portugal Jan. 29, 2018 to participate in Real Thaw 18, a Portuguese-led exercise.The annual two-week exercise includes armed forces from multiple nations to participate in training missions aimed at merging and deploying different platforms toward a major objective, covering a vast range of activities including air-to-air and air-to-ground training, tactical air transport operations, and close air support. Approximately 50 Airmen and two C-130H3 Hercules assigned to the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, arrived at Monte Real Air Base, Portugal Jan. 29, 2018 to participate in Real Thaw 18, a Portuguese-led exercise.The annual two-week exercise includes armed forces from multiple nations to participate in training missions aimed at merging and deploying different platforms toward a major objective, covering a vast range of activities including air-to-air and air-to-ground training, tactical air transport operations, and close air support.“It provides a unique training opportunity,” said Maj. Richard Konopczynski, deputy mission commander from the 700th Airlift Squadron at Dobbins. “We get to work with our coalition partners. We have other C-130 units here from different countries, and we get to not only compare our techniques, but also work in a deployed environment.”This year’s exercise included 1,500 participants and 35 aircraft from Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Portugal, and the United States.The exercise also goes beyond the scope of flying missions to include support roles such as communications, security forces, maintenance, and intelligence. The scenarios will integrate daily realistic interoperability tasks in the air and on the ground between multinational units. “We set up a scenario that resembles a very specific situation in the world,” said Lt. Col. Joao Rosa, exercise coordinator and Portuguese air force fighter pilot. “We are simulating that we deployed a NATO force to a country…what we are going to do with all the types of aircraft we have, with all the army forces and navy forces, is to protect that small country.”The goal is for participants to know each other on a more personal level to establish rapport and create lasting bonds, said Rosa. The exercise brings everyone together as much as possible, whether it be flying, briefing or working together. These relationships have real world consequences with much of the warfighting effort involving a number of allied forces from different countries working together now and in future contingency operations.“It’s an opportunity to exercise a lot of our skills, tactics and procedures in a coalition environment,” said Konopczynski.Dobbins is participating for the first time in the exercise, which will last from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9, 2018. View full article

Having little exposure to aviation prior to joining the Air Force, I was pissed when I learned that I was going to be on C-130s. Like most young men I wanted to work on the fast jets. It didn't take me long to realize that I had lucked-out and to develop a great respect and dare I say, love for the 130! "Real Planes Have props!"

Friday was a special day at the 911th, not just for the Hayden family and others who were reunited after months apart. It also marked the end of the 911th as a C-130 tactical aircraft unit: two of the wing’s C-130s returned to Pittsburgh for the last time Thursday, and the other two returned Friday. Kristin Hayden and her two young children watched the aircraft bursting through the clear blue sky Friday above the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon. The Air Force plane making its final descent on the bright but chilly afternoon carried Capt. Brice Hayden, Ms. Hayden’s husband and the father of 5-year-old Klaire and 1-year-old Justin. For Ms. Hayden and the kids, it was the first time in about four months they had seen Capt. Hayden, who was deployed with a C-130 unit in Qatar. Klaire, dressed in a green airman’s uniform just like her dad’s, ran out to meet him and jumped into his arms shortly after he got off the plane. Advertisement “It’s very emotional, as you can imagine,” Ms. Hayden said. “It’s more emotional seeing the kids’ reaction because they know that daddy’s coming home and he’s on that plane.” Friday was a special day at the 911th, not just for the Hayden family and others who were reunited after months apart. It also marked the end of the 911th as a C-130 tactical aircraft unit: two of the wing’s C-130s returned to Pittsburgh for the last time Thursday, and the other two returned Friday. “This is a pretty exciting day for us and it really closes a chapter in this airwing’s history,” said Col. Jeff Van Dootingh, commander of the 911th. “This is our last deployment with the C-130s, and today marks the last time we’ll have one returning from the area of responsibility in central command.” The 911th now will assume a new role in the Air Force, becoming a strategic airlift mission with the C-17 Globemaster III, a much larger aircraft that has the capability to carry more cargo and personnel over greater distances. Advertisement Most of the wing’s C-130s will be transferred to Air National Guard or Air Force reserve bases throughout the United States. At least one of them will be retired soon. The Air Force began using C-130s in 1954, and the 911th has been flying them since the 1980s, according to Col. Van Dootingh. The four-ship package that returned Thursday and Friday was used to transport food, ammunition, supplies and troops. “In general, the mission of the C-130 hasn’t changed since day one,” Col. Van Dootingh said. “It’s a very unique aircraft because there are so many different versions of it that do all kinds of missions. There’s an AC-130, which is a gunship, the Hurricane Hunter is a C-130 used in search and rescue, and then, of course, what ours are, tactical airlift.” Whatever the mission, it’s always a great feeling to return home, said Maj. Andy Thompson of Beaver, a C-130 pilot. Maj. Thompson said this was his 16th deployment, and he always looks forward to that feeling he gets when he sees his wife and four children after he steps off the aircraft. “It’s almost worth the trip,” Maj. Thompson said. View full article

LOL. I usually use the pics from the articles, however I do change them from time to time to correct errors. I'll look closer now that I know someone is watching.

I would say that you are correct. Good eye.

Belgian Air Force retired his first C-130 Hercules on Dec. 27, 2017. This aircraft, registered as CH-08 c/n 4478 was in service since 1973 and has flown 22.219 flight hours. It was assigned to the 15th Wing Air Transport witch is located at the Melsbroek airbase, a part of Brussels Airport. Belgian Air Force retired his first C-130 Hercules on Dec. 27, 2017. This aircraft, registered as CH-08 c/n 4478 was in service since 1973 and has flown 22.219 flight hours. It was assigned to the 15th Wing Air Transport witch is located at the Melsbroek airbase, a part of Brussels Airport. The Belgian Air Force bought 12 C-130H Hercules transport aircraft in 1970 to replace the Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar. The first Hercules was delivered in mid 1972 and was assigned to 20 Smaldeel from 15 Wing at Melsbroek. The BAF lost two C-130s due to accidents, so it acquired an additional Hercules. Initially, all the Belgian Hercules had received the Lizard camouflage color scheme that was replaced by a grey color during the mid-life update program. As of 2020, the C-130 fleet will be gradually replaced by Airbus A-400M aircraft. Belgium has bought 7 Atlas and the deliveries are scheduled from 2019-2020. Currently 10 C-130s are still in service. View full article

A four-strong batch of C-130J Super Hercules airlifters ordered by France is the start of a planned larger fleet of the aircraft for the French Air Force, according to a source close to the project. There are plans “eventually to expand the fleet” of C-130J, the source said Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Further orders of the turboprop transports are expected from 2025. A four-strong batch of C-130J Super Hercules airlifters ordered by France is the start of a planned larger fleet of the aircraft for the French Air Force, according to a source close to the project. There are plans “eventually to expand the fleet” of C-130J, the source said Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Further orders of the turboprop transports are expected from 2025. Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly on Monday welcomed the first of four Lockheed Martin C-130Js at a formal ceremony at the Orleans air base, south of the capital. That plane arrived Dec. 22. The second C-130J is expected to be delivered in May or June, said Tony Frese, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for business development for air mobility and maritime missions. The last two of the Super Hercules in the KC-130J version are earmarked for the French special forces, which are keen to have aerial refueling of helicopters, the source said. These two planes are due for delivery next year. There had been a plan in 2015 to arm the first two French C-130 airlifters with Raytheon’s Griffin missile, a weapon fitted on the C-130 flown by U.S. special forces. The French Air Force in the meantime flies an aging 14-strong fleet of C-130H Hercules, which are being modernized to meet standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The service sees the C-130 as a “medium transport” that fits between the four-engine Airbus A400M and twin-engine Casa light airlifter. The C-130 will also replace the twin-engine C-160 Transall, which will be retired from service in 2023. Acquisition of the C-130J opens a service life of 40 years. There is close cooperation between French and U.S. military services, with the latter carrying 10 percent of the cargo in theater for French overseas deployments. The French and American armed forces also work together to support interoperability. French pilots of the the 1/67 Helicopter Squadron at Cazaux air base, southwest France, flew three Caracal helicopters with two U.S. Air Force MC-130J in the Dark Dune exercise last month. That exercise led to certification of the French crews for day and night in-flight refueling. View full article

The EC-130H Compass Call is a modified Hercules tasked with various types of signals surveillance, interdiction, and disruption. According to the U.S. Air Force official fact sheets, “the Compass Call system employs offensive counter-information and electronic attack (or EA) capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.” The EC-130H Compass Call is a modified Hercules tasked with various types of signals surveillance, interdiction, and disruption. According to the U.S. Air Force official fact sheets, “the Compass Call system employs offensive counter-information and electronic attack (or EA) capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.” The USAF EC-130H overall force is quite small, consisting of only 14 aircraft, based at Davis-Monthan AFB (DMAFB), in Tucson, Arizona and belonging to the 55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG) and its two squadrons: the 41st and 43rd Electronic Combat Squadrons (ECS). Also based at DMAFB and serving as the type training unit is the 42nd ECS that operates a lone TC-130H trainer along with some available EC-130Hs made available by the other front-line squadrons. The role of the Compass Call is to disrupt the enemy’s ability to command and control their forces by finding, prioritizing and targeting the enemy communications. This means that the aircraft is able to detect the signals emitted by the enemy’s communication and control gear and jam them so that the communication is denied. The original mission of the EC-130H was SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses): the Compass Call were to jam the enemy’s IADS (Integrated Air Defense Systems) and to prevent interceptors from talking with the radar controllers on the ground (or aboard an Airborne Early Warning aircraft). Throughout the years, the role has evolved, making the aircraft a platform capable of targeting also the signals between UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and their control stations. Although it’s not clear whether this ability has already been translated into an operational capability, in 2015, a USAF EC-130H Compass Call aircraft has also been involved in demos where it attacked networks from the air: a kind of in-flight hacking capability that could be particularly useful to conduct cyber warfare missions where the Electronic Attack aircraft injects malware by air-gapping closed networks. With about one-third of the fleet operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (indeed, four EC-130Hs, teaming up with the RC-135 Rivet Joint and other EA assets, are operating over Iraq and Syria to deny the Islamic State the ability to communicate), the fact that a single EC-130H (73-1590 “Axis 43”) was recently deployed from Davis Monthan AFB to Osan Air Base, South Korea, where it arrived via Yokota, on Jan. 4, 2018, it’s pretty intriguing. View full article