Super Hercules Fleet Has Seen Duty In Iraq

Lockheed Martin tells ANN the company has delivered a seventh C-130J Super Hercules to the 143rd Airlift Wing, the Air National Guard Unit based at Rhode Island's Quonset State Airport. Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, Director Air National Guard, accepted the new aircraft.

"The Air National Guard is proud of the growth in the 143rd Airlift Wing's continuing capabilities, as they receive a seventh C-130J Hercules transport aircraft," said General McKinley during the delivery ceremony. "This important unit provides worldwide combat airlift and combat support forces to our nation. From Rhode Island and all across our homeland, the 143rd has a critical ability to respond to a civil emergency, bringing forces, equipment and rescue items to protect life, property and public safety."

Rhode Island will receive one more C-130J this year, which will complete deliveries to the 143rd. The Wing has just returned from a 20-month deployment to Iraq where their C-130Js were used as part of a C-130J joint force deployment for high tempo intra-theater operations.

During the deployment, four C-130Js conducted 5,444 sorties, exceeded a total 10,750 flight hours, delivered 12,681 tons of cargo and carried 70,350 passengers.

Lockheed tells ANN the new C-130J is capable of flying further, faster, and with greater payload and reliability than older C-130s. Additionally, the C-130J only requires three crew members for most missions so fewer flight crew members are exposed to potential threats in theater.

C-130Js are currently deployed in two combat theaters and are operating at a very high tempo efficiently and reliably. C-130Js are being used daily for troop and equipment re-supply via ground delivery and airdrop, for air-to-air refueling, ground refueling and humanitarian relief. The worldwide fleet of C-130Js has now exceeded 340,000 flight hours.

In the United States, Air Education and Training Command, 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. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force, and the Royal Danish Air Force.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com, www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/143aw.htm