Aircraft Arrived At Miramar, CA August 18

Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) and Lockheed Martin delivered the 50th KC-130J “Hercules” transport aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California, Aug. 18.

"The delivery of the Marine Corps 50th KC-130J is no doubt a significant milestone for the program and for the Marines,” said Jason Verbic, PMA-207 KC-130J airframes integrated program team lead. “With an ever-increasing demand for the mission capabilities of this workhorse aircraft, each and every new delivery brings us one step closer to total mission readiness and our program of record for 79 KC-130Js.”

The new aircraft became part of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352. The squadron, known as the "Raiders" is stationed at MCAS Miramar.

“The Tactical Airlift team is doing outstanding work to meet the fleet’s needs,” said Doug Dawson, PMA-207 program manager, whose team oversees the KC-130J program. “We will deliver two more KC-130Js to the fleet later this year.”

The 51st and 52nd KC-130J Hercules, scheduled to be delivered this winter, are slated to go to VMGR -152 in Iwakuni, Japan and VMGR- 234 located at Fort Worth, Texas.

In 2015 the Marine Corps flew 8,873 missions in the KC-130J aircraft and accumulated over 29,000 hours providing assault support to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Commander including: air-to-air refueling, aviation-delivered ground refueling, assault air transport of personnel and equipment, tactical aerial delivery of personnel and cargo, battlefield illumination, airborne radio delay, tactical aero-medical evacuation, close air support, and multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance.

The KC-130J is a multi-mission medium lift fixed wing aircraft providing long-range, land-based tactical and logistic support to fleet operating forces. The KC-130J can be configured to provide transport of personnel or cargo. Delivery of cargo may be accomplished in-flight via parachute or by landing. As a tactical transport, the Hercules can carry 92 ground troops or 64 paratroopers and equipment. It can also be configured as a medical evacuation platform capable of carrying 74 patients on stretchers and their attendants.

(Images provided with NAVAIR news release)

FMI: www.navair.navy.mil