By THERESA KOMOR
Leader staff writer
Brig. Gen. Rowayne A Schatz, Jr., commander of the 314th Airlift Wing, on Thursday flew the newest C-130J from the Lockheed Martin assembly plant in Marietta, Ga., to the 41st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base. This C-130J is the 100th off Lockheed Martin’s production line.
The new C-130J brings the base’s count to 16 — nine are with the 41st AS, which is part of the 463rd Airlift Group, a combat group. Seven more are with the 314th Airlift Wing and used for training at the base. Eventually, there will be 23 of the $65-million planes with a total value of $1.5 billion.
As the newest unit under the 463rd Airlift Group, the 41st Airlift Squadron, the “Blackcats” moved to Little Rock Air Force Base from Pope AFB, N.C., as part of the base realignment and closure process in April 2007.
“It’s a special honor and privilege for me to deliver this amazing aircraft to the 41st Airlift Squadron, the first active-duty Air Mobility Command unit to employ the special capabilities of the C-130J into combat,” said Schatz.
“It will soon add to the Blackcats’ legend and distinguished history of providing the nation a vital combat airlift capability,” he continued.
“Taking our soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, airmen off the roads in Iraq and Afghanistan, getting the wounded warrior to medical care, and delivering cargo when and where it is needed are just a few of the vital missions the C-130J allows combat airlifters to perform with greater efficiency than ever before,” added Schatz.
The 41st is one of the most highly decorated airlift squadrons in military history, according to Pope AFB public affairs, and the squadron called Pope AFB home for 36 years. It is the third oldest Air Force squadron, and has been involved in every major campaign since 1942. In 1999, the 41st received its first C-130J.
Depending on the needs of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, members of the 41st Airlift Squadron are deployed, using the new C-130J to transport troops and cargo. Some of its members are currently deployed in Southwest Asia on its first combat mission under the 463rd Airlift Wing.
Since arriving at LRAFB, the 41st Airlift Squadron has had to stand up, prepare to deploy and receive the new C-130Js, an enormous accomplishment completed in a year.
The C-130J has significantly improved capabilities compared to its aging predecessor, the C-130E. There is greater range and payload capacity, and it can be flown with a three-man crew – two pilots and a loadmaster – that lowers operating and support costs.
The C-130J flies farther and faster, carries more and is more reliable. And, it has six blades on its composite propellers with turbo Rolls Royce engines. The technological improvements provide life-cycle cost savings with its greater, all around efficiency. This model climbs faster and higher, and lands and takes off in a shorter distance than previous models of the C-130.
The C-130J is a longer plane with an additional 15 feet added to the fuselage, increasing the available room in the cargo compartment. It has improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems and an enhanced cargo-handling system.
