Singaporean F-15SGs arrive in Darwin, Australia

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Lockheed-Martin rolls out its first MC-130J Combat Shadow II

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During a ceremony at its Georgia facility, Lockheed-Martin has rolled out the MC-130J Combat Shadow IIs for the U.S. Air Force’s Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Lockheed Martin is contracted to build 15 MC 130Js for AFSOC against an approved requirement for 37 aircraft.

AC-130s and A-10s start operations over Libya

Spectres and Hogs have joined the fray. The USAF has started using the AC-130 gunship and A-10 close support aircraft in operations over Libya. This points to me that 2) the coalition is confident of local air supremacy and b) They feel that these types of close-support assets are better suited to support anti-Gaddafi rebels against regime heavy weapons mingling close to civilians

PHOTO: RAAF C-130J returns from Middle East with nose art

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Nicknamed 'Desert Devil', No. 37 Squadron (37SQN) C-130J Hercules A97-466 sits on the RAAF Richmond flightline after returning from an eleven month deployment to the Middle East. (Photo © Commonwealth of Australia by LAC David Said )

Commando Solo transmissions over Libya posted online

Twitter has made it's mark on Odyssey Dawn, with broadcasts from a USAF EC-130J Commando Solo psy-ops aircraft being captured on audio and uploaded on Twitter by a self-described “radiocommunications guru” from the Netherlands

PHOTO: Yokota Combat Shadow supports Operation Tomodachi

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An MC-130P Combat Shadow from Yokota Air Base's 17th Special Operations Squadron refuels a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 33rd Rescue Squadron over the Pacific Ocean March 18. The refueling missions are in support of humanitarian relief operations after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami rocked Northeastern Japan March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

Bullet hit RAF C-130 pilot's helmet in Libya; rebels apologise

It has emerged that the RAF C-130 hit by small arms fire while evacuating civilians from Libya was hit in the cockpit, including a bullet which struck the helmet of one of the pilots. The C-130 was fired on by anti-Gaddafi rebels, who have since apologised for mistaking the plane as a regime aircraft

RAF C-130 hit by small arms fire while evacuating civilians in Libya

The British Defence Ministry has said that an RAF C-130 evacuating foreign nationals stranded by the unrest in Libya has suffered damage from 'small arms fire'. The aircraft suffered minor damage and there were no injuries.

Christchurch aftershock damages RAAF Hercules

The Australian Defence Force Chief has said today that a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport has been damaged by an aftershock in Christchurch. The aircraft is participating in earthquake relief operations and the damage has been described as minor.

RAAF, RSAF deploy aircraft to New Zealand earthquake relief

Following the earthquake which has devastated the city of Christchurch on South Island, New Zealand, the Royal Australian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force have deployed aircraft, personnel and equipment to support relief efforts. The RAAF has despatched a pair of C-130 Hercules transports while the RSAF has deployed a KC-135R Stratotanker and another pair of C-130s.

RAAF Hercules and crews leave for Red Flag

A Royal Australian Air Force contingent from the RAAF Richmond’s No. 37 Squadron with a pair of C-130H Hercules will participate in Exercise Red Flag 11-3 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The RAAF C-130s would fly tactical airlift missions at Red Flag.

US Navy deploys VR-62 Nomads C-130 to Atsugi

NAS Jacksonville-based VR-62 ‘Nomads’ has deployed one of their four C-130 Hercules aircraft on a three-month detachment to NAS Atsugi, Japan. The crews will rotate in and out of theater and will support Navy and Marine activities throughout the Asia-Pacific, beginning with Ex Cobra Gold in Thailand.

PHOTO: First MC-130J Sees The Light of Day

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The first of 15 MC-130Js currently on order for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has completed final assembly at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Following painting and production flight test the aircraft will be delivered this summer. (Lockheed-Martin Photo)

See related News story at Flightglobal

VMGR-352 Detachment leaves Afghanistan for home

After spending the past six months at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Detachment A has left for MCAS Miramar. In addition to air-to-air refueling coalition aircraft, VMGR-352 provided aerial delivery and troop transport and operated the sole "Harvest Hawk" armed KC-130J in-theater.

Red Flag 11-2 provides Belgian C-130 crews realistic training

Red Flag 11-2, currently being held at Nellis AFB, Nevada, is benefiting Belgian Air Force C-130 crews who are getting the opportunity to carry out missions in a realistic large force exercise scenario involving multiple friendly and aggressor aircraft. The Red Flag staff provides Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape experts to help visiting squadrons meet training goals.

C-130J to be inducted into IAF; first American built aircraft in 40 years

Marking the entry of an American into the Indian AF in four decades, the first of six C-130J transports will be inducted into IAF service at the Hindon air base. The IAF sees the C-130J as a bridge between capabilities of its Il-76 and An-32 transports and for carrying out Special Forces operations.

VMGR-252 KC-130s refuel Hornets and Harriers for large force exercise

A large-force exercise in the skies above North Carolina was held in late January with the KC-130s of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 refueling F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers from MCAS Beaufort and Cherry Point. The exercise included a night refueling mission involving 11 aircraft using Night Vision Goggles

Malaysian Air Force C-130s evacuates Malaysians in Egypt

Due continuing political unrest, the Royal Malaysian Air Force has deployed three of its C-130 Hercules transports to pick up Malaysian nationals stranded in Egypt. The aircraft will work in conjunction with a Fleet Auxiliary in transporting the Malaysian civilians to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Armed Marine Hercules trolls Afghan skies; earns rave reviews

Just three months into its first deployment, the Marine Corps' KC-130J Harvest Hawk has earned rave reviews providing ground support and gathering intelligence. A RO-RO kit adds Hellfire and Griffin missiles and fire control equipment onto the tanker. 15 KC-130s are due to receive the kit, to be spread among active USMC KC-130 units.

India's first C-130J on its way to Aero India

With plans to make its public debut at the Aero India, the Indian Air Force's first C-130J tactical transport has left Georgia on its way to India. India has acquired six stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s, with another six expected to be ordered later this year.