Reserve Airmen test C-130J in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFPN) --  Faster, farther, higher, safer. Aircrews and maintainers from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 403rd Wing here are changing attitudes and proving the effectiveness of their bird the J-model C-130 Hercules.

As the first unit to take delivery of the aircraft in 1999, Airmen in the wing’s 815th Airlift Squadron have led the way in training, evaluating and certifying the Air Force’s next-generation airlifter. They also were called on to support its first combat mission.

In December, a squadron team deployed to Southwest Asia to become part of a joint airlift mission. Working with active-duty and Air National Guard Airmen, they put the J-model through its paces in a combat theater.

For several months before the initial deployment, unit reservists worked doggedly to ensure the aircraft was released in all categories of the critical types of missions needed to perform in combat. They completed everything from engine-running offloads to blackout night-vision airdrops with results exceeding the expectations of even the most enthusiastic crew members, officials said.

“I can say without any hesitation that I prefer the C-130J,” said Capt. Darren Ray, a pilot with the deployed squadron. “I feel so confident in the J-model’s capabilities that I have absolutely no reservations about flying it into the area of responsibility. I don’t think that you can find one person who is qualified on the J-model who can deny its capabilities and would prefer to fly any previous version of the C-130.”

After arriving in-country, the Airmen said they encountered some misconceptions and outright misinformation about the aircraft.

“The amount of erroneous information out there about the new aircraft amazed me,” said Maj. Jeff Ragusa, an aircraft commander and tactics pilot. “Crews who fly the H- and E-models out here had a lot of false impressions about the J-model.

“This surprised me even more considering how long we have been flying this aircraft,” he said. “When we got here, people thought we were not qualified for tactical missions, and said they had heard the aircraft couldn’t even land on (a dirt)landing zone which is something I personally have done many times.”

“At first, tactical airlifters will be somewhat resistant to accept the J-model, but when everyone learns of its capabilities, every C-130 squadron will want the J,” Captain Ray said.

Once the Airmen arrived and immediately started flying missions, they said opinions began to change. Within the first few weeks in the desert, they frequently were asked for walk-through tours and orientation flights by maintainers and aircrews flying the older versions.

“The C-130 E- and H- model maintainers are jealous,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Reach, a deployed communication and navigation systems specialist. He attributes the J-model’s computerized diagnostic systems with making it much easier for him to complete his work on the aircraft.

Aircrews said they are equally excited about their successes.

“The C-130J is performing beyond my expectations,” Captain Ray said. “The tools that are available in the J-model make it possible for the crew to operate safer and with much more situational awareness. We have all of the required information at our fingertips. Landing at an unfamiliar, unlit airfield during the hours of darkness is much easier in this (aircraft).”

Mission planners said they quickly realized the capabilities of the J-model. Airframe enhancements, new engines, digital instruments and a condensed crew all contribute to the effectiveness of the aircraft.

The aircraft's larger cargo compartment and increased engine performance allow twice as much cargo weight to be carried on each mission, said Capt. Dan Windham, a pilot deployed with the squadron.

“It will be difficult for J-model opponents to have any complaints now,” he said. “The plane is getting it done faster, going farther and carrying more than the Es and Hs.”

Another benefit to planners in using the J-model is the capacity of the cargo area they said. The Airmen are flying a “stretched” version of the J-model. For the most part they are carrying troops into and out of threat areas. The longer aircraft can handle up to 128 combat troops, 92 paratroopers or a combination of passengers and their cargo up to the compartment capacity. Compared with the older Hercules’ capacity of 92 combat troops or 64 paratroopers, planners said it makes mathematical sense to use the longer aircraft. Fewer sorties could mean fewer risks to aircraft, crews and troops. While minimizing potential risks ranks above and beyond cost benefits, the Js have also contributed to substantial savings in that arena, officials said.

Senior Master Sgt. Todd Patterson, a squadron loadmaster, said he enjoyed being a part of the joint mission, working with his active-duty and Air National Guard counterparts as a single integrated unit. A big part of their mission is moving troops to their bases, and the aircrews can carry almost twice the number of passengers with their baggage pallets as older C-130s.

The new aircraft can be loaded and unloaded while its engines are running, said Sergeant Patterson. “This has allowed us to greatly decrease our ground times during on-load and offload which has limited our ground exposure as well as decreased the duty day allowing for more stops.” (Courtesy Air Force Reserve Command News Service)