Number Seven Of Eight Aircraft Slated For Squadron
Earlier this week,
Lockheed Martin delivered its second C-130J airlifter of 2006. The
aircraft is assigned to the 403rd Wing's 815th Airlift Squadron,
Air Force Reserve Command's (AFRC) only C-130J combat delivery
squadron.
The aircraft was flown by Maj. Gen. Martin M. Mazick, director
of operations for AFRC, who will soon assume command of the 22nd
Air Force, one of the Reserve's three numbered air forces.
"I have been flying Lockheed Martin products for 25 years," said
Mazick. "I flew C-141s for 19 years and C-5s for five. I am proud
to be delivering this new C-130J to Keesler where it will provide
increased combat delivery capability to the 403rd."
The 815th Airlift Squadron -- known as the Flying Jennies --
received its first C-130J, a short-fuselage aircraft in 1999, but
is now being equipped with the longer-fuselage aircraft.
Wednesday's delivery is the seventh of eight aircraft that will
eventually be assigned to the squadron.
Keesler AFB is also home to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance
Squadron (WRS). Known as the Hurricane Hunters, this unit flies the
WC-130J into hurricanes to record and send storm data to ground
stations, which helps make predictions of direction and intensity
more reliable. The 2005 hurricane season was the first full season
the WC-130J was flown into the Atlantic storms. The 53rd WRS
operates 10 WC-130Js.
C-130J operators from around the world are now operating at a
high tempo in both combat and relief support operations. The United
States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and Denmark are all
experiencing first hand the high reliability and increased range,
speed and payload capabilities of the C-130J. This past year also
marked the combat debut for the U.S. C-130J fleet, as both the Air
National Guard and Marine Corps operated their aircraft in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The EC-130J psychological warfare aircraft were also
flown on operational missions for the first time.
The newly delivered aircraft is the longer fuselage C-130J,
which features a strengthened cargo ramp and improved airdrop
system, allowing crews to make airdrops at 250 knots -- minimizing
exposure to anti-aircraft fire in hostile areas. The Enhanced Cargo
Handling System allows for rapidly converting the aircraft from
hauling rolling stock to palletized cargo. These aircraft are 112
feet long, 15 feet longer than the short-length C-130J aircraft,
which translates to 30 percent more usable volume for increased
seating, litters, pallets, or airdrop platforms. In service, two
C-130Js often do the work of three legacy C-130E or H-model
aircraft.
A total of 182 C-130Js are on order, and 137 have been delivered
to date. In the US, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National
Guard units fly C- 130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers
and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J, which saw extensive service
during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts. International
C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air
Force, Italian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.
The Marine aircraft, often referred to by crews as Battle Herks,
are the standard short fuselage version of the Super Hercules.
Using only wing and external tanks, the KC-130J has a 57,500 pound
(8,455 U.S. gallon) fuel offload capability while being flown on a
500 nautical mile radius mission, compared with 38,000 pounds
(5,588 U.S. gallons) for the current fleet of KC- 130Fs. The
KC-130J is also configured to accept a fuselage tank if required,
adding another 24,392 pounds (3,600 U.S. gallons) of available fuel
offload to a mission.