United States Transportation Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- The U.S. Air Force's C-130J Hercules -- the newest variant of the versatile C-130 aircraft -- deployed for the first time this month.

According to Lt. Col. Chris Hair, chief of Air Mobility Command's Operations Modernization Division, the deployment of the C-130J has been a total team effort of active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces.

The deployed force is comprised of maintainers, operators and support personnel from several bases, including the 143rd Airlift Squadron, Rhode Island ANG; the 135th AS, Maryland ANG; the 815th AS, a Reserve unit at Keesler AFB, Miss.; and the 115th AS, Channel Islands ANG Station, Calif.

Colonel Hair said many of these Guard and Reserve Airmen are the same people who have worked so hard the past two years preparing the J model for operational deployment. And, he said, they know -- as AMC leaders know -- that the C-130J is ready to go to the fight.

"We've maximized the use of taxpayer dollars to give them the combat capability that they paid for," added the colonel. "The men and women in those units -- those Guard and Reserve warriors -- should be immensely proud of the contributions they've made to get this aircraft ready. Most of the actual work has fallen on their backs as the experts who fly this airplane day in and day out."

According to the colonel, the C-130Js will accomplish the same mission deployed C-130s are now accomplishing. He said the J model may climb a little faster or fly a little farther, but it is still a C-130 completing a C-130 mission.

Colonel Hair said no one is denying the C-130J program has faced some challenges. However, he said, "We need to differentiate between where we started and where we are right now. It's very easy to focus on the challenges of the past, but where we are right now is a far different place than where we were only two years ago. During the past two years, we've worked very hard to prepare this aircraft for combat operations and there is no doubt in any of our minds that this aircraft is ready to get out there and do what it was designed to do."

What the C-130J was "design to do" is climb faster and higher, fly farther at a higher cruise speed, and takeoff and land in shorter distances; attributes that Colonel Hair said make the J model even more effective in a combat environment.

"It's time for the C-130J to take its place alongside other C-130 aircraft; those heroes of tactical airlift," added Colonel Hair. "The C-130 has always been a versatile aircraft, capable of a variety of missions. The J model is a continuation of that proud history.

"I think we're about to see just how good the C-130J is," added the colonel. "There is always some skepticism with any new weapon system. Until you've gotten out there and shown you can handle the mission, there will always be a little doubt. [With this deployment], we're sure the C-130J will put that doubt to rest."

Others in the C-130 community share Colonel Hair's support and enthusiasm for the J model.

"We feel the aircraft is totally safe," said Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, commander of the 403rd Airlift Wing, Keesler AFB, Ms., and a veteran C-130 pilot.

The general said the challenges the C-130J encountered early in the acquisition process are normal for a new weapons system.

"You can never build something perfect the first time," he said. "However, the [C-130J] is now performing marvelously. [With the C-130J] we get increased fuel range and a better climb rate, which means we can climb higher, faster."

The general said the C-130J's performance is tremendous compared to previous C-130 aircraft. "I've flown virtually every model of the C-130, and I would choose the J model any day," he said.

Initial deployment of the C-130J by the Air National Guard units in Rhode Island, Maryland, and California, and the Air Force Reserve unit at Kessler AFB, Ms., will occur over the next several months.

U.S. Air Force deploys C-130Js for first time

Follow Us On: