US Air Force Air Mobility Command,
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE: When the C-130J — the newest variant of the versatile C-130 Hercules — deployed for the first time nearly a month ago, Air Mobility Command officials said they were confident the aircraft would perform to their expectations.
According to the C-130J deployed mission commander, during the first few weeks of the aircraft's deployment, the J model has met and in some cases exceeded those expectations.
Col. Lawrence Gallogly, commander of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, said the C-130J has performed admirably, and all indications are the aircraft is ideally suited for conditions that require the higher power settings and increased cargo-carrying capacity of the C-130J.
“We have only had [about four weeks] of flying in the theater, but we have already logged in excess of 393 flying hours, carried over 1,743 passengers and over 627 tons of cargo,” said the colonel. And, he said as unit personnel become more familiar with the J model and its payload capacity, he expects those numbers will be even higher.
Colonel Gallogly said one of the biggest benefits of the J model has been the aircraft's increased cargo capacity. He said two C-130Js can provide the cargo carrying capacity of almost three E and H model C-130s. “This is a force multiplier for the theater commander,” added the colonel.
Aside from the improved power capabilities and increased cargo capacity, Colonel Gallogly said the addition of the J models alongside the older C-130 aircraft has been nearly transparent.
“We have assimilated [the C-130Js] into the pre-existing C-130 squadron with no noticeable difference,” explained the colonel. “Of course we have a little good natured ribbing that goes back and forth between aircraft types, but it's all in fun. We've actually had quite a few E and H model crewmembers fly with us as observers during our orientation rides in theater, and I think they have been very impressed.”
Lt. Col. Mark Sheehan, 746th EAS director of operations, agreed that the orientation flights have changed more than a few opinions.
“There were a great many urban legends about the C-130J throughout the other units,” said Colonel Sheehan. “We provided a briefing to wing leadership and offered the opportunity for observers and operations group staff to fly with C-130J crews. Once they see the difference in performance and capability, they quickly agree that the C-130J is an outstanding tactical airlifter.”
In addition to its deployed mission success, Colonel Gallogly said the aircraft is also performing well in the area of “spare parts availability;” something some C-130J critics said would be a problem in a deployed environment.
“Part of our job here is to identify which C-130J parts will be our high-failure-rate parts and which [parts] might hold up better than expected,” explained the colonel. “Thus far, the supply system has been great at keeping up with the few needs we have had. Our mission capable rate is much higher than the fleet average, and spare parts simply have not been an issue.”
Although AMC officials are happy with the C-130J's initial success, the colonel said C-130J operators and maintainers still have a lot to learn, and he expects even more success from the newest member of the Hercules family.
He credits the aircraft's successes to a total force effort of active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.
“We would not be here on this deployment today had it not been for a truly joint effort,” he said. “We often hear the phrase 'one team one fight,' but we have lived it on several levels.”
Those “levels,” according to the colonel, include the AMC headquarters staff, particularly the AMC's Operations Modernization Division, for getting the aircraft and the crews ready to deploy. He also credited Guard units in Rhode Island, Maryland and California, and Reserve personnel in Mississippi, who supported the deployment with C-130J aircrews and maintenance personnel.
Colonel Sheehan said he also thinks the C-130J has performed “extremely well” during the first month of its deployment, and he also credits the aircraft's success to the maintenance personnel and crews who worked hard to integrate the new aircraft into the deployed operations.
“We are part of the normal day-to-day operations and working the same shifts and missions as the other C-130 squadrons,” he said. “This combat test is validation of both the aircraft and the training developed by the initial cadre of instructors. And when we return home, we can provide feedback to the [field training unit] at Little Rock [AFB, Ark.] and further refine training for future C-130J crews.”
Colonel Gallogly added that it's great to see the C-130Js operating alongside their active-duty counterparts as a single, integrated operation.
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