Posted on 01/17/2008 7:41:09 AM PST by Clive
Base finally getting new Hercs
After long decades of service, CFB Trenton's workhorse airplanes are getting exactly what they need: reinforcements.
Federal ministers announced a contract to buy 17 new C-130J Hercules transports for $1.4 billion Wednesday.
The planes are to begin arriving in 2010.
Col. Mike Hood, commander of 8 Wing-CFB Trenton, was part of a crew flying one of the base's older Hercules to Ottawa Wednesday.
He compared the effect of the announcement to the recent arrival of the CC-177 Globemasters in Trenton.
"It's a real morale booster," said Hood. "People want to be part of an organization that has the best equipment (and) great capability. This is just the next step."
Though older Hercules models are flown elsewhere in Canada, Hood said the new J-models will be based in Trenton.
"The C-130J is meant to replace the C-130 doing the tactical airlift role," said Hood.
Tactical airlift - the process of delivering people and cargo with relatively short flights under often difficult situations - is what keeps Trenton's 436 Transport Squadron working constantly.
The Hercs are also flown by Trenton's 426 Transport Training and 424 Transport and Rescue Squadrons, but the bulk of the Canadian tactical airlift flights in Afghanistan and around the world are handled by 436 Squadron.
Hood said crews must now train in the United States to fly the J-model, possibly as early as this summer.
"While it looks like a C-130 on the outside, on the inside it's a very different aircraft than the one we've been flying," Hood said. "It can fly higher, go longer, and carry more than the one we've been flying."
Echoing his past comments on the subject, Hood said the new contract is a strong sign of support for Trenton personnel.
"This aircraft is a proven platform that we've used successfully across Canada and around the world. It's an important capability and the fact that it's coming back to Trenton ensures the great work we do can carry on."
New Hercs a 'real morale boost'
After long decades of service, CFB Trenton's workhorse airplanes are getting exactly what they need: reinforcements.
Federal ministers announced a contract to buy 17 new C-130J Hercules transports for $1.4 billion Wednesday.
The planes are to begin arriving in the winter of 2010.
As a navigator, Col. Mike Hood, commander of 8 Wing-CFB Trenton, was among a crew flying one of the base's older Hercules which flew to Ottawa Wednesday.
He compared the effect of the announcement to the recent arrival of the CC-177 Globemasters in Trenton.
"It's a real morale booster," said Hood. "People want to be part of an organization that has the best equipment (and) great capability. This is just the next step."
Though older Hercules models are flown elsewhere in Canada, Hood said the new J-models will be based in Trenton.
"The C-130J is meant to replace the C-130 doing the tactical airlift role," said Hood.
Tactical airlift — the process of delivering people and cargo with relatively short flights under often difficult situations — is what keeps Trenton's 436 Transport Squadron working constantly.
The Hercs are also flown by Trenton's 426 Transport Training and 424 Transport and Rescue Squadrons, but the bulk of the Canadian tactical airlift flights in Afghanistan and around the world are handled by 436 Squadron.
Hood said crews must now train in the United States to fly the J-model, possibly as early as this summer.
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A great and classic plane...probably the best all time multipurpose transport built, at least as good as the C47 in its era...
Are these the extended length C-130J-30s or the regular length C-130s?
See this thread:
Thanks!
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