Pentagon Criticizes, Air Mobility Praises: Someone Needs To Get
These Folks To Agree...
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.
"I’m proud to be part of [the C-130J's first deployment],"
he said. "I hope it will set the standard of future deployments of
the “J” and mark the beginning of a long and storied
history of the next generation of Hercules."
General John W. Handy, commander of Air Mobility Command and
U.S. Transportation Command, has closely monitored the
C-130J’s progress.
“I am extremely pleased with the performance of the C-130J
during this deployment,” he said. “That success is a
testament to the dedicated, professional team of Airmen supporting
the mission and the magnificent C-130J. Together, they are setting
a pace that will be hard to beat!”
(Our thanks to Tech. Sgt. Mark Diamond of Air Mobility
Command Public Affairs)