The US Air Force (USAF) has received the sixth of 28 C-130J Super Hercules to the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, US.
18th Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Robert Allardice said the latest C-130J delivery represents another key step in efforts to modernise USAF inventory to provide the best tactical airlift to commanders across the globe.
“Whether supporting contingencies, saving lives through rapid aeromedical evacuation, delivering hope through worldwide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response, or a multitude of other roles, the Super Herc provides our airmen with a new tool to accomplish their world-class mission done better than ever,” he added.
The 317th Airlift Group at Dyess, which currently flies the H and J models, will become the largest C-130J fleet in the USAF upon receipt of the 28th Super Hercules, scheduled for 2013.
The USAF squadron will use the Lockheed Martin C-130s to execute a variety of missions, ranging from military operations to humanitarian airlift support of Nasa’s Mercury space programme.
