Metalbasher

The one in the pix I'm pretty sure is USCG #1721...it had the gray and white paint scheme. USCG 1708 had the newer USCG orange and white paint scheme. The plan was to remove the USCG markings off #1721 and let it go with the existing paint scheme (to be repainted later) so that would appear is what happened.

7/10/2015 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A fourth C-130H Hercules was delivered June 20 at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and its significance can be traced back to planners, program managers, engineers and maintainers at Robins. Prior to its delivery to the Afghan Air Force, it first made a stop here for something quite interesting and unique - the complete separation of the aircraft's nose from its fuselage in March 2014. The move to build a C-130 fleet in support of the AAF - which received its first two C-130s in the fall of 2013 - will bring increased tactical airlift capabilities for troops engaged in various missions, as well as resupply and casualty evacuation capabilities. The new fleet of four C-130s is a complete departure from anything the Afghan Air Force has owned before, according to Lt. Col. Tyler Faulk, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan's Security Assistance Office deputy director. "These C-130s are the Afghan Air Force's first four-engine aircraft with this type of expanded capability," he said. "This fleet allows them to transport supplies or troops within Afghanistan, as well as to partner nations where they can execute missions, trainings and exercises, and a whole host of international activities." With Robins' support, the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which includes more than 800 personnel, along with the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron and 339th Flight Test Squadron, successfully completed 2,890 maintenance operations and logged over 17,904 labor hours on the aircraft. Among those operations were the removal and replacement of the entire nose assembly, accomplishing inspections and maintenance tasks necessary to make the aircraft flight worthy. It also included painting the aircraft, and accomplishing the functional test flight. Because of a hard landing experienced by the C-130H, major structural damage occurred to the aircraft's nose, which was later removed and replaced with a nose from a second donor aircraft that was scheduled to be retired. This unscheduled depot level maintenance nose repair was disassembled at the factory break, and took about three weeks, with the final nose separation taking place in about 90 minutes. "This team took two 1974 model aircraft that were slated for retirement and built a combat ready aircraft to support our foreign military sales partners," said Jim Russell, 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director. "Our maintenance professionals took on this never before performed task and excelled. This just goes to prove the professionals at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex are force multipliers who are willing and ready to support when the call of duty comes our way." The C-130's versatility, including its short takeoff and landing capabilities, makes it an ideal aircraft for use in Afghanistan's rugged terrain. Posted 7/10/2015 by Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs View original article... View full article

Anyone know what King Fisher or Fisher King aircraft refers to with regard to HC-130Ns? I'm looking in a database and there is a comment that states this is a Fisher King/King Fisher Aircraft.

For additional information please contact Ken Klusman, kenneth.klusman@us.af.mil, 478- 222-1273.

I think the other two were 74-1675 (#4640) and 74-1677(#4643) both delivered in Oct 2013.

74-1665 was the one that just arrived...got a new nose from 74-2072.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/06/18/vas-new-rules-on-agent-orange-reject-most-previously-filed.html?comp=7000023317843&rank=1 Jun 18, 2015 | by Bryant Jordan New rules posted to the federal register on Thursday make it possible for American service members exposed to Agent Orange years after the Vietnam War to be awarded compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for related health problems. But it is unlikely that many of the now-eligible, dioxin-sickened veterans who previously applied for compensation will have an active date-of-claim any earlier than tomorrow -- June 19, 2015 -- when the rule change takes effect. "The effective date will generally be the date of publication of the interim final rule -- in this case, June 19, 2015 -- as long as the veteran or reservist files a new or reopened claim with VA within one year of that date," VA spokeswoman Meagan Lutz said. The rule change applies to 2,000 or more veterans, most of them Air Force reservists who served aboard or maintained C-123 Providers contaminated with Agent Orange for years after the planes' defoliation missions over Vietnam ended. Until now, the VA has not recognized these service members for the purposes of Agent Orange compensation, and denied claims based on exposure to the dioxin. One VA official, talking on background because he was not authorized to speak for the department, said one exception to the June 19 date-of-claim would be if a C-123 veteran has a claim that has not yet been denied. In that case, he said, compensation would commence from the original file date if the claim is approved. The official was uncertain if there were other exceptions. Bart Stichman, an attorney and joint executive director of the National Veterans Legal Services Program, expressed disappointment in general with the VA's decision to not reconsider denied claims from the original file dates. "That's what I feared," he told Military.com on Thursday. "They're not going to go retro. That hurts people with longstanding claims. And they could have gone retro, so it's giving [veterans] half a loaf." Stichman, who has been involved in Agent Orange cases and litigation with the VA for decades, said there are many veterans who filed claims in connection with exposure to Agent Orange aboard post-war C-123s, though he does not know just how many. The VA said on Monday that the rules change was imminent and only awaited approval of the White House Office of Management and Budget. That happened on Thursday. The Associated Press reported that the cost of the compensation will be about $45.7 million over the next 10 years, with separate health care coverage adding to that cost. Stichman said the VA has, by its long delays in recognizing these veterans as victims of Agent Orange, harmed them. By refusing to honor the dates of previously filed claims, he said, "the delay is doubly harming." It's not the first time the VA has done this, he said. In 2011, the VA expanded compensation eligibility to troops exposed to Agent Orange along the Korean DMZ, but would pay claims only from the date of the rule change, he said. The NVLSP has a case in federal court seeking to change that, Stichman said. In a statement announcing the change, VA Secretary Bob McDonald said the department will begin accepting and processing claims immediately. The NVLSP and other veterans' organizations have pressed Congress and the VA for years to honor claims filed by service members who served aboard the C-123s after Vietnam. Studies, including one published in January by the Institute of Medicine, backed veterans' claims that the planes remained contaminated by the dioxin and were making the airmen ill. The IOM study was requested by the VA. Between 1972 and 1982, the study found, some 1,500 to 2,100 Air Force Reserve members trained and worked on the planes that had conducted the aerial spraying over Vietnam. Samples taken from the aircraft showed the presence of Agent Orange residues, the IOM found. McDonald on Thursday said the decision to expand benefits following receipt of the IOM report was "the right thing to do." The evidence was needed, he said, "to ensure we can now fully compensate any former crew member who develops an Agent Orange-related disability." Those eligible included Air Force and Air Force Reserve flight, medical and ground maintainer personnel who served on the contaminated planes. The VA will now presume that development of Agent Orange-related conditions was caused by exposure to the residue. The VA identified several specific units and bases where members could have been exposed to the residue, including the 906th and 907th Tactical Air Groups, or 355th and 356th Tactical Airlift Squadrons at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Ohio; the 731st Tactical Air Squadron and 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts; and the 758th Airlift Squadron during the period 1969 to 1986 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, International Airport. Airmen who served at these units and locations may file for a disability compensation claim online through the joint VA-Department of Defense web portal, eBenefits. The VA also said in its statement that the contaminated aircraft may have been used at several active-duty Air Force bases following their service in Vietnam. Those who served on an active-duty base where the aircraft were assigned or who had "regular and repeated contact with the aircraft through flight, ground or medical duties during the period 1969 to 1986, and who develop an Agent Orange-related disability" may apply by going to this VA website. Claims not filed through eBenefits should be mailed to Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, Attention: C123 Claims, P.O. Box 5088, Janesville, WI 53547-5088. Alternatively, the claims may be faxed to the Wisconsin center at 608-373-6694. Veterans with specific benefit questions related to dioxin exposure on C-123s may call the VA's C-123 Hotline at 1-800-749-8387 (available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST) or e-mail VSCC123.VAVBASPL@va.gov.

Looks great! Just curious what kind of paint was used? I assume latex since no one is wearing a respirator, coveralls etc.

FYI The C-130 TCG is pleased to invite you to attend the C-130 International Technical Program Review (ITPR) which will be held in Charleston SC, October 26th – 30th 2015 at the Charleston Area Convention Center. Participation in this annual event provides opportunities for the TCG staff, DOD employees, Commercial Contractors and C-130 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, to discuss items of common interest and receive information on new or improved technologies important to the worldwide operation of the C-130 aircraft. Registration A special lodging rate of the prevailing Gov’t per-diem rate has been arranged for all participants. You will be provided a link to reserve a hotel room at the special rate upon successful registration to the ITPR. Please register to attend at our website link: ww2.eventrebels.com/er/EventHomePage/CustomPage.jsp?ActivityID=12630&ItemID=50624

FYI Lockheed Martin invites you to attend the 27th Hercules Operators Council (HOC) in Atlanta, Georgia, October 19-22. This annual event offers pertinent briefings on the C-130B-J, L-100 and LM-100J model aircraft and encourages the global Hercules community to share operational, technical, modification and maintenance insights among Hercules owners/operators, suppliers and service centers. Registration/Event Information: HOC 2015 registration opens on June 15 and may be accessed on the HOC website: www.lockheedmartin.com/us/aeronautics/eoc/hoc.html.

Here is a link for all the HOC proceedings (Years 2013,2011,2010,2010,2009,2008,2007 & 1982)...it's like 6800 slides, 475 MB. http://www.c130mro.com/#!/HOC-Compendium-Volume-No-1/p/50115335/category=12308679 Of course there is a small nominal fee associated with it too...didn't think LMCO was going to give it away did you?

Nope

Robins Corrosion Flight (C-130 Paint) in Action 13 WMAZ Special Report http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/robins-air-force-base/2015/02/26/behind-the-lines-painting-planes-a-patriotic-duty/24086755/ People recognize the grayish-blue of Air Force aircraft around the world. Many of those planes get their trademark color inside hangars at Robins Air Force Base. The people in the Corrosion Control shop call it their patriotic duty to put a top notch coat of paint on every plane. Inside Building 89, the hands of a 20-man crew fly over, around, and under the body of a C-130 aircraft. Its makeover in the paint shop is the last stop before she returns from maintenance to duty. "We take a lot of pride in making sure the plane does look good," says painter Tim Davis. Davis compares it to an industrial-sized arts and crafts operation replete with stencils and an armory of paint. However, the job lacks the safety of an 8x10 canvas and brush strokes. "It can be a very dangerous process," says Terry Lowe. Lowe says a lot of the action happens 30 feet off the ground. "45 to 50, once you get to the very top," says Davis. Not to mention the plane sways. Davis explains, "You feel the movement of the plane because it's sitting on its struts. It's bouncing just like it would if it was sitting out on the runway." Then, there's the chemicals involved. Electromagnetic guns spray a paint that works like a magnet. Ronnie Harrell says before the new coat of color goes on, the old comes off, or rather oozes off. A powerful chemical eats away at it. High powered pressure washers finish the drill. "I relate my job to being like a coach on a football field," says he says. Harrell, a supervisor, moves his men across every inch, no crack, no cranny left uncovered. Terry Lowe says, "May seem like a lot of confusion. You have people everywhere." Their meticulous work seals out corrosion, lengthening the life of the aircraft, and if the job's not done right, the Air Force will know. The crew inks their signature on every one. "That marking is to let everyone in the world know where this great aircraft was painted. That's Robins Air Force Base," says Davis. "There is a sense of patriotic duty that I feel when I'm painting this aircraft, because for me, this is my America. This my airplane." And Davis says there's no detail too small, no job too big to support those who serve. "That's what makes it all worthwhile," Davis says. Painting and detailing the aircraft takes about a week. Each C-130 needs about 150 of those stencils before leaving the hangar and going back into service.

He did end up with a confirmed Mig Kill...it appears just savvy flying, he made it through valley and the Mig didn't.

Thanks

Anyone remember what unit or what the C-130 was from?

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The AC-130J Ghostrider Will Get A Big Ass Gun Afterall It is no secret that the AC-130 fleet is changing. Once defined by their bristling cannons, the new breed of AC-130s are all about guided bombs and a slew of smart weapons, with just a single, direct fire 30mm cannon being fitted. Luckily, sharper minds have prevailed at AFSOC and now the AC-130Js will get the massive 105mm cannon they rightfully deserve. Lt. General Bradley Heithold, the head of the AFSOC, swears by the AC-130's 105mm howitzer, told Breakingdefense.com that it's both more accurate and way less expensive than the precision guided munitions it was intended to replace. He credits the gun's precision to its lower explosive yield than even small guided bombs and missiles. The cost differential is also no secret – a 105mm howitzer shell costs hundreds of dollars, while a guided bomb can cost at a minimum tens of thousands of dollars or easily into the hundreds of thousands. Additionally, the AC-130's big shell can arrive on station in just a few seconds and re-attack rapidly, which is much faster than smart glide weapons or even missiles. 4 General Heithold's plan is to slowly retire some of his middle-aged AC-130Us (the Vietnam era AC-130Hs are already on their way out) while awaiting the introduction of his newest gunships, with hopefully the third AC-130J receiving the 105mm cannon fresh from the factory. The first two AC-130Js will have to rely on a single bushmaster 30mm cannon, bombs and missiles until they can be upgraded with the new-old big gun. This will leave a fleet of about 26 AC-130s available at any given time going into the future. Originally, the plan was to shrink the AC-130 fleet as the war in Afghanistan drew down and Iraq was supposedly in the review mirror. That didn't happen and considering a terror state controls a land mass reaching almost from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, not to mention the mess that remains in Libya and the one that is growing in Yemen, there are few better weapons to take on these threats than the AC-130. In other words, demand may have dipped for the big bristling gunships, but now it is climbing again, with no end in sight. Here's to General Heithold for doing-up America's next AC-130 the right way and keeping with what is inexpensive and highly effective over what is technologically flashy. And here's to the upcoming AC-130J Ghostrider, an aircraft that is now looking more promising than ever, maturing into something more deadly, versatile and survivable, with directed energy weapons and advanced radar jamming capabilities on the horizon. Although the AC-130J is still yet to take to the skies operationally, take a few minutes and fly along on a some training missions aboard AFSOC's "legacy" AC-130 Specter and Spooky flying gunships. Top shot, 105mm perspective shot via Tyler Rogoway, bottom shot of AC-130J via USAF

Air Force Special Operations Command’s top officer said he wanted to explore the possibility of adding a laser or directed energy weapon to the AC-130J Ghostrider. Air Force Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, head of AFSOC, told a crowd at NDIA’s SO/LIC conference in Washington D.C. on Tuesday that he thought the technology was mature enough to install a laser weapon onto the AC-130J gunship. The Air Force has already decided it will mount a 105mm cannon onto the newest variant of the gunship after the Air Force chose to limit the W-model to smart bombs and the 30mm cannon. Heithold explained that the 105mm cannon was needed because it was more accurate and cheaper than firing the Small Diameter Bombs. The Pentagon has continued to expand its research into direct energy weapons, especially the Navy. Top Navy officials have remain committed to incorporating lasers onto Navy warships. The Air Force had invested in airborne lasers before former Defense Secretary Robert Gates killed the program. The Air Force had considered a program that would use lasers to protect the U.S. from ballistic missiles. This is the first time an Air Force official has discussed adding a laser weapon to the AC-130. Read more: http://defensetech.org/2015/01/29/afsoc-wants-to-research-adding-laser-weapons-to-ac-130/#ixzz3QP2ltY5d Defense.org

Bob, It's my understanding that all the USCG going to the forest service are going to come through Robins for PDM/center wing box change (if required) and then they will be modified for the mission. I'm also understanding the Robins will modify the acft for MAFFS II or LMCO will for the Coulson System. I haven't heard the official selection of which system will be used. Robins has the first acft going to USFS in the PDM system now, will also be painted with USFS paint scheme.

The Lingering Story of Agent Orange January 2015 By John T. Correll AF Magazine The assumption in the 1960s was that the use of herbicides in Vietnam did not pose a significant danger. The UC-123K tactical transport known as “Patches†got its name the hard way. The aircraft was held together nose to tail with repairs to the battle damage inflicted by almost 600 hits from enemy ground gunners in Vietnam... See link for the rest of the story...rather lengthy. http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2015/January%202015/The-Lingering-Story-of-Agent-Orange.aspx Free Itunes download of the book "USAF C-123 Veterans: VA Illegally Denies Agent Orange Claims" https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/c-123-veterans-va-blocks-agent/id680418307?mt=11

This year they changed things up...presentations are all password locked. LMCO sent the password out in the email to all those that attended the HOC this year in the email indicating the briefs were posted. Really sucks because you can't even save the file on your own pc without password lock. Will see if I can find the email that contained the password.

I retired 3 1/2 years ago and claimed hearing and ringing in my ears (tinnitus) (had my hearing base line changed 3 times in 25 years) and thought it was a done deal as I had heard from so many others. Turns out my hearing was very good considering my age and my time spent on the flightline and shooting rivets. I got nothing for hearing loss but I did get 10% for tinnitus...no questions asked...hard to question that as it's very hard for doctors to say you are not experiencing ringing in the ears. Deployments/combats zones may lead to tinnitus but not necessarily a requirement for compensation.

Anyone have any pix of the floods at St Joe, particularly pix of the acft sitting on the ramp with all the water? I've seen some before but have lost track of them. Thanks

DOD to set up 7 Ebola testing labs throughout Liberia By Chris Carroll Stars and Stripes Published: October 7, 2014 Ramstein Germany, Pallets of supplies, including water and MREs, are loaded onto a C-130 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to be delivered to Liberia in support of the U.S. military effort to fight Ebola in West Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. Joshua L. DeMotts/Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — The Defense Department will operate seven mobile testing labs in Liberia to fight the spread of Ebola, the head of U.S. Africa Command said Tuesday at the Pentagon. Hundreds of DOD personnel are in Liberia laying the groundwork for a U.S. military mission to fight the outbreak that the World Health Organization estimates has killed more than 3,400 people. Thousands of U.S. soldiers are scheduled to arrive this month to build treatment centers and oversee logistics. The humanitarian mission is likely to cost about $750 million over the coming sixth months, Gen. David Rodriguez said. Defense officials have repeatedly said troops have no contact with disease sufferers, but Rodriguez said Tuesday that a few military infectious disease specialists would be working with contaminated blood samples in the mobile labs. “This is not just medical guys trained to do this [particular task], this is what they do for a living,†he said. One such lab has been operational in Liberia for years, while two more were recently deployed. DOD now is working to send four more labs, he said — each operated by three or four technicians — needed because Ebola symptoms can mimic other tropical diseases, such as malaria. “The testing really focuses on who you need to treat and who you don’t need to treat, because malaria shows a similar problem with the symptoms,†he said. Making sure U.S. personnel don’t catch Ebola is priority No. 1, Rodriguez said. “By providing predeployment training, adhering to strict medical protocols while deployed, and carrying out carefully planned reintegration measures based on risk and exposure, I am confident that we can ensure our servicemembers’ safety, and the safety of their families and the American people,†he said. While deployed, troops will use safety clothing and equipment and wash constantly to prevent the virus spreading. They’ll also be checked for symptoms throughout the day, Rodriguez promised. Should anyone come down with the virus, they’ll be evacuated to the United States for treatment on a specially equipped medical transport plane. The Army has announced 3,200 soldiers from various units around the United States would deploy, with the potential for up to 4,000 troops to be sent. Most of those deployed will live at the Liberian defense ministry and in tent cities at airfields or elsewhere, Rodriguez said. The mission could last a year, he guessed, saying it will be adjusted to suit changing conditions on the ground. “We have a lot of flexibility to put people in there as they’re needed, and who’s needed,†he said.