A 10th factory fresh C-130J Super Hercules joined the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Tex., after a ferry flight from Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Ga., production facility last week. The stretched C-130J-30 is one of 28 Super Hercs slated for delivery to Dyess by 2013 to replace the aging C-130H models. Speaking after the delivery flight, Brig. Gen. Jon Fago, Nebraska Air National Guard Chief of Staff, presented Dyess’ 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron with the symbolic “key” to the aircraft in a flight-line ceremony, Oct. 28, according to a base release. Dyess first began flying C-130s in 1961, and is gradually phasing out its C-130H legacy fleet as the new J models arrive. The aircraft is the 100th C-130J delivered to the Air Force, according to a Lockheed release.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.