DOCSLIB.ORG

Air Force World

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Air Force World Air Force World screenshot 07.15.2015 An Atlas V rocket boosts GPS IIF-10 into space from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the GPS system achiev- ing full operational capability. 12 AIR FORCE Magazine / August 2015 By Aaron M. U. Church, Associate Editor SpaceX Still in Play SpaceX is still eligible to compete for national security space missions even though one of its Falcon 9 rockets exploded on June 28, Space and Missile Systems Center boss Lt. Gen. Samuel A. Greaves told Reuters. “SpaceX remains certified and can compete for the upcoming GPS III launch service,” Greaves told the wire service. The rocket was on a commercial mission carrying sup- plies to the International Space Station when it experienced an “anomaly,” SpaceX officials said. According to SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, a support strut failed in the Falcon 9 and most likely triggered the explosion. SpaceX is also looking at other factors that may have caused the mishap. The GPS III launch will be the first time United Launch Alliance will face competition for NSS missions since the Lockheed Martin and Boeing consortium was formed in 2006. SpaceX was certified in May after a two-year review. Ghostrider Grounded The Air Force’s prototype AC-130J Ghostrider gunship was grounded pending investigation of an in-flight incident that occurred during a test sortie from Eglin AFB, Fla., earlier this year, according to Air Force Materiel Command. United Launch Alliance photo AIR FORCE Magazine / August 2015 13 Ai F r c e o r l d U S AF h o to y S gt.Al e x a n d r e o n te s Go Fly a Kite: A1C Jonathan Palacios-Conde and SrA. John Brown cover the engine of a KC-135 tanker at Al Udeid, Qatar, C- 1 2 3 Cr ew s Cl ear ed o r Co m p en at i n during a windstorm that had gusts of almost 60 mph. Sensi- T h e e p a r tm e n t f e te r a n s Af f a i r s x te n d e d o m - tive aircraft engines must be protected from sand and debris p e n sa ti o n o v e r a g to i r m e n su f e r i n g e r ta i n o n - and extreme conditions such as the heat that is common at locations in the Middle East. d itio n s lin ke d to re p e a te d co n ta ct w ith co n ta m in a te d C - 12 P r o v i d e r a i r c r a f t use d to sp r a y Ag n t O r a n g The aircraft “returned to base and safely landed without c h e m i c a l s u i n g p e r a ti o n a n c h a n d n i e tn a m , further incident or any injuries to the crew” after the April officials announced. 21 mishap, the command told Air Force Magazine in a “ O p e n i n g up l i gi b i l i t o r t i s d e s r v i n g gr o up f A r statement. F o r c e v e t r a n s a n d r e s r v i sts i s t e r i gh t t i n g t d o , ” V A AFMC officials on June 15 elevated the accident from a S e c r e t r y o b e r t A c D o n a l d s i d n un e e l e a s . Class C mishap after “structural analysis suggested damage T h e d e c i si o n f o l l o w s a 2015 r e p o r t b y th e I n sti tute greater than the $2 million monetary threshold for a Class A o f e d i c i n e e ta i l i n g th e e a l th o n se q u n c e s f x - incident,” reads the statement. p o su e to i o x i n - ta i n te d i r c r a f t, v e n e a r s f te r th e i r The AC-130J prototype suffered a similar mishap when it use n i e tn a m , c c o r d i n g to th e e l e a se . W e th a n k departed controlled flight during handling trials in February, th e I O M o r ts th o r o ug r e v i e w th a t r o v i d e d th e su - exceeding its structural limits and resulting in the addition porting evidence needed to ensue w e can now fuly of two months to flight testing. Air Force Special Operations Command plans to purchase c o m p e n sa te n y o r m e r r e w e m b e r h o e v e l o p s and convert 37 airframes to the AC-130J configuration as a n Ag n t O ra n g -re la te d d isa b ility,” M cD o n a ld sa id . part of its $2.4 billion program to replace the legacy AC-130U T h e i n q ue st f o u d t a t a s m a n y a s 2, 100 A t v e D ut and AC-130W fleets. and Air Force R esrve C om m and aircrew , m aintainers a n d e r o m e d i c a l e r so n n e l o u d a v e e e n x p o se d Ra a A p ea Q u a h e to harm fu chem icals. The US federal claims court rejected Raytheon’s appeal AF R E S e r so n n e l w h o se r v e d n th e i r c r a f t t of a May decision permitting the Air Force to reopen review L o c k b o u n e / i c k e n b a c k e r A G B , O h i o ; W e st v e r A B , of the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar M a ss. ; i ttsb ur g Ar p t. , a . ; r Ac ti v e uty i r m e n h o system contract originally awarded to the company. se r v e d o n C - 123 s a t se v e r a l b a se s b e tw e e n 1 6 9 a n d “Raytheon has not demonstrated either a likelihood of 186 are encouagd to sum it com pensation claim s, success or a substantial case on the merits of its appeal,” a c c o r d i n g to th e V A. federal judge Margaret M. Sweeney concluded in a decision Aaron M. U. Church released June 18. Raytheon initially won the 3DELRR contract to provide airborne and missile threat tracking in 2014. After protests 1 4 AIR FORCE Magazine / August 2015 by competitors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, the Air Force moved to “correct” its decision, based on advice B r o k en T r ea ie , C o s ing S k ie from the Government Accountability Office. R ussi a s i o l a ti n g r o v i si o n s f th e p e n k i e s The GAO found that the Air Force “erred in its technical evaluation of Raytheon’s proposal and ... conducted unequal tr e a ty y a r r i n g Ai r o r c e C - 1 5s r o m b se r v i n g and misleading discussions regarding the parties’ cost/price ke y stra te gc a re a s, a cco rd in g to th e S ta te D e p a rt- proposals,” according to a court summary of the case. m e n t’ s 2015 r m s o n tr o l tr e a ty o m p l i a n c e e p o r t, Raytheon argued the original award was sound and that r e l e a se d n u e 5 the Air Force’s “corrective action was arbitrary, capricious, “We have been unable to conduct overflights of ei- and unreasonable,” based on the GAO’s faulty evaluation. The th e r R ussia o r U kra in e n e a r th e ir sh a re d in te rn a tio n a l court decision clears the way for the Air Force to reconsider b o r d e r ” si n c e th e sh o o t- d o w n f i v i l i a n i r l i n e r n th e competing bids.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom
    Operation Iraqi Freedom: A First-Blush Assessment Andrew F. Krepinevich 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 912 Washington, DC 20036 Operation Iraqi Freedom: A First-Blush Assessment by Andrew F. Krepinevich Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments 2003 ABOUT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND BUDGETARY ASSESSMENTS The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is an independent public policy research institute established to promote innovative thinking about defense planning and investment strategies for the 21st century. CSBA’s analytic-based research makes clear the inextricable link between defense strategies and budgets in fostering a more effective and efficient defense, and the need to transform the US military in light of the emerging military revolution. CSBA is directed by Dr. Andrew F. Krepinevich and funded by foundation, corporate and individual grants and contributions, and government contracts. 1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW Suite 912 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 331-7990 http://www.csbaonline.org ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author would like to thank Steven Kosiak, Robert Martinage, Michael Vickers and Barry Watts, who reviewed several drafts of this report. Their comments and suggestions proved invaluable. Critical research assistance was provided by Todd Lowery. His support in chasing down numerous sources and confirming critical facts proved indispensable. Alane Kochems did a fine job editing and proofing the final report draft, while Alise Frye graciously helped craft the report’s executive summary. I am most grateful for their encouragement and support. Naturally, however, the opinions, conclusions and recommendations in this report are the sole responsibility of the author. CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... I I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 II. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • AFMC Strategic Plan to Help Carry Air Force to Third Offset
    Vol. 74, No. 11 Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Friday, March 18, 2016 INSIDE AFMC strategic plan to help Sequestration poses biggest threat to carry Air Force to Third Offset readiness, Stacey Geiger military leaders Air Force Materiel Command say Public Affairs Page 2 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Agility and innovation are cornerstones of a new Air Force Materiel Command strategic plan that AFSC/LG will deliver war-winning capabilities. Those capabilities deputy retires will propel the Air Force as Page 2 a key element of the future national defense strategy known as the Third Offset. The first “offset” came in the 1950s when the United States looked to tactical nuclear Are you weapons to deter, or offset, Air Force photo by Jim Haseltine prepared? large, conventional forces in Western Europe. The second Lt. Col. George Watkins, 34th Fighter Squadron commander, drops a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb from Base officials an F-35A at the Utah Test and Training Range Feb. 25. The 34th FS is the Air Force’s first combat unit offset came in the 1970s when to employ munitions from the F-35A. offer weather, the Soviet Union achieved active shooter nuclear parity and the U.S. to leverage new technologies autonomous systems and satellite networks, cyber bugs preparedness sought an advantage by turning to offset advances made by human-machine networks. A that infect and take down tips to precision-guided weapons. adversaries in recent years. battlespace of the year 2030 adversaries’ computers and The Third Offset is the It will draw on technologies could see F-35s or a next- Pages 8-9 Department of Defense strategy such as artificial intelligence, generation aircraft linked by See Plan page 5.
    [Show full text]
  • GAO-18-75, Accessible Version, F-35 Aircraft Sustainment
    United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Committees October 2017 F-35 AIRCRAFT SUSTAINMENT DOD Needs to Address Challenges Affecting Readiness and Cost Transparency Accessible Version GAO-18-75 October 2017 F-35 AIRCRAFT SUSTAINMENT DOD Needs to Address Challenges Affecting Readiness and Cost Transparency Highlights of GAO-18-75, a report to congressional committees Why GAO Did This Study What GAO Found The F-35 aircraft represents the future The Department of Defense (DOD) is sustaining over 250 F-35 aircraft (F-35) of tactical aviation for the U.S. military, and plans to triple the fleet by the end of 2021, but is facing sustainment and is DOD’s most expensive weapon challenges that are affecting warfighter readiness (see table). These challenges system, with sustainment costs alone are largely the result of sustainment plans that do not fully include key estimated at more than $1 trillion over requirements or aligned (timely and sufficient) funding. DOD is taking steps to a 60-year life cycle. As the F-35 address some challenges, but without more comprehensive plans and aligned program approaches full-rate funding, DOD risks being unable to fully leverage the F-35’s capabilities and production, DOD is working to deliver sustain a rapidly expanding fleet. an affordable sustainment strategy that is able to meet the needs of the military Table: Key Department of Defense (DOD) Challenges for F-35 Aircraft Sustainment services. This strategy is being tested Key challenge Description as DOD stands up military depots, Limited repair capacity DOD’s capabilities to repair F-35 parts at military depots are 6 years trains personnel, and supports its first at depots behind schedule, which has resulted in average part repair times of 172 operational squadrons—with plans to days—twice the program’s objective (see figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Air & Space Power Journal
    July–August 2013 Volume 27, No. 4 AFRP 10-1 Senior Leader Perspective The Air Advisor ❙ 4 The Face of US Air Force Engagement Maj Gen Timothy M. Zadalis, USAF Features The Swarm, the Cloud, and the Importance of Getting There First ❙ 14 What’s at Stake in the Remote Aviation Culture Debate Maj David J. Blair, USAF Capt Nick Helms, USAF The Next Lightweight Fighter ❙ 39 Not Your Grandfather’s Combat Aircraft Col Michael W. Pietrucha, USAF Building Partnership Capacity by Using MQ-9s in the Asia-Pacific ❙ 59 Col Andrew A. Torelli, USAF Personnel Security during Joint Operations with Foreign Military Forces ❙ 79 David C. Aykens Departments 101 ❙ Views The Glass Ceiling for Remotely Piloted Aircraft ❙ 101 Lt Col Lawrence Spinetta, PhD, USAF Funding Cyberspace: The Case for an Air Force Venture Capital Initiative ❙ 119 Maj Chadwick M. Steipp, USAF Strategic Distraction: The Consequence of Neglecting Organizational Design ❙ 129 Col John F. Price Jr., USAF 140 ❙ Book Reviews Master of the Air: William Tunner and the Success of Military Airlift . 140 Robert A. Slayton Reviewer: Frank Kalesnik, PhD Selling Air Power: Military Aviation and American Popular Culture after World War II . 142 Steve Call Reviewer: Scott D. Murdock From Lexington to Baghdad and Beyond: War and Politics in the American Experience, 3rd ed . 144 Donald M. Snow and Dennis M. Drew Reviewer: Capt Chris Sanders, USAF Beer, Bacon, and Bullets: Culture in Coalition Warfare from Gallipoli to Iraq . 147 Gal Luft Reviewer: Col Chad T. Manske, USAF Global Air Power . 149 John Andreas Olsen, editor Reviewer: Lt Col P.
    [Show full text]
  • World Air Forces Flight 2011/2012 International
    SPECIAL REPORT WORLD AIR FORCES FLIGHT 2011/2012 INTERNATIONAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH Secure your availability. Rely on our performance. Aircraft availability on the flight line is more than ever essential for the Air Force mission fulfilment. Cooperating with the right industrial partner is of strategic importance and key to improving Air Force logistics and supply chain management. RUAG provides you with new options to resource your mission. More than 40 years of flight line management make us the experienced and capable partner we are – a partner you can rely on. RUAG Aviation Military Aviation · Seetalstrasse 175 · P.O. Box 301 · 6032 Emmen · Switzerland Legal domicile: RUAG Switzerland Ltd · Seetalstrasse 175 · P.O. Box 301 · 6032 Emmen Tel. +41 41 268 41 11 · Fax +41 41 260 25 88 · [email protected] · www.ruag.com WORLD AIR FORCES 2011/2012 CONTENT ANALYSIS 4 Worldwide active fleet per region 5 Worldwide active fleet share per country 6 Worldwide top 10 active aircraft types 8 WORLD AIR FORCES World Air Forces directory 9 TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FLIGHTGLOBAL INSIGHT AND REPORT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: Flightglobal Insight Quadrant House, The Quadrant Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5AS, UK Tel: + 44 208 652 8724 Email:LQVLJKW#ÁLJKWJOREDOFRP Website: ZZZÁLJKWJOREDOFRPLQVLJKt World Air Forces 2011/2012 | Flightglobal Insight | 3 WORLD AIR FORCES 2011/2012 The French and Qatari air forces deployed Mirage 2000-5s for the fight over Libya JOINT RESPONSE Air arms around the world reacted to multiple challenges during 2011, despite fleet and budget cuts. We list the current inventories and procurement plans of 160 nations.
    [Show full text]
  • Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal 48
    ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL 48 2 The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the contributors concerned and are not necessarily those held by the Royal Air Force Historical Society. First published in the UK in 2010 by the Royal Air Force Historical Society All ri hts reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information stora e and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing. ISSN 1361 4231 Printed by Windrush Group ,indrush House Avenue Two Station Lane ,itney O028 40, 3 ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY President 2arshal of the Royal Air Force Sir 2ichael 3eetham GC3 C3E DFC AFC 7ice8President Air 2arshal Sir Frederick Sowrey KC3 C3E AFC Committee Chairman Air 7ice82arshal N 3 3aldwin C3 C3E FRAeS 7ice8Chairman -roup Captain 9 D Heron O3E Secretary -roup Captain K 9 Dearman FRAeS 2embership Secretary Dr 9ack Dunham PhD CPsychol A2RAeS Treasurer 9 Boyes TD CA 2embers Air Commodore - R Pitchfork 23E 3A FRAes :9 S Cox Esq BA 2A :6r M A Fopp MA F2A FI2 t :-roup Captain A 9 Byford MA MA RAF :,ing Commander P K Kendall BSc ARCS MA RAF ,ing Commander C Cummings Editor & Publications ,ing Commander C G Jefford M3E BA 2ana er :Ex Officio 4 CONTENTS OPENIN- ADDRESS œ Air 2shl Ian Macfadyen 7 ON.Y A SIDESHO,? THE RFC AND RAF IN A 2ESOPOTA2IA 1914-1918 by Guy Warner THE RAF AR2OURED CAR CO2PANIES IN IRAB 20 C2OST.YD 1921-1947 by Dr Christopher Morris No 4 SFTS AND RASCHID A.IES WAR œ IRAB 1941 by )A , Cdr Mike Dudgeon 2ORNIN- Q&A F1 SU3STITUTION OR SU3ORDINATION? THE E2P.OY8 63 2ENT OF AIR PO,ER O7ER AF-HANISTAN AND THE NORTH8,EST FRONTIER, 1910-1939 by Clive Richards THE 9E3E.
    [Show full text]
  • Adapt Or Fail: the USAF's Role in Reconstituting the Iraqi Air Force
    AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Adapt or Fail The United States Air Force’s Role in Reconstituting the Iraqi Air Force, 2004–2007 George w. Cully, jd Air University Press Air Force Research Institute Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Project Editor Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Belinda Bazinet Names: Cully, George W., 1946- author. | Air University Copy Editor (U.S.). Air Force Research Institute, issuing body. | Sandi Davis Air University (U.S.). Press, publisher. Title: Adapt or fail : the USAF’s role in reconstituting Cover Art, Book Design and Illustrations the Iraqi Air Force 2004-2007 / George W. Cully. Daniel Armstrong Description: First edition. | Maxwell Air Force Base, Composition and Prepress Production Alabama : Air University Press, Air Force Research Nedra O. Looney Institute, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references. Identifiers: LCCN 2016043990| ISBN 9781585662692 | Print Preparation and Distribution ISBN 1585662690 Diane Clark Subjects: LCSH: Air forces—Iraq| Air power—Iraq— History. | Coalition Provisional Authority. Coalition Military Advisory Transition Team. | Coalition Provisional Authority. CMATT-A. | United States— Armed Forces—Stability operations. Classification: LCC UG635.I72 C85 2016 | DDC 956.7044/348–dc23 | SUDOC D 301.26/6:IR 1 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016043990 AIR FORCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AIR UNIVERSITY PRESS Director and Publisher Published by Air University Press in February 2017 Dale L. Hayden, PhD Editor in Chief Oreste M. Johnson Managing Editor Dr. Ernest Allan Rockwell Design and Production Manager Disclaimer Cheryl King Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do Air University Press 600 Chennault Circle, Bldg.
    [Show full text]
  • Hill Air Force Base in the 2010S
    80 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE HILL AIR FORCE BASE IN THE 2010S March 26, 2010 July 16, 2010 March 24, 2011 May 26, 2011 October 2011 January 11, 2012 July 2012 The Ogden Air Logistics Center’s (OO-ALC) 309th Maintenance Assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing since the Vietnam The 309th Maintenance Wing formally assumed TSgt Kristoffer Solesbee, from the 775th Civil Engineering The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Ogden Air Logistics Center and 309th Maintenance Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) restructured Wing celebrated the completion of the Common Configuration conflict, the 34th Fighter Squadron inactivated as part depot-level, airframe maintenance work for the T-38 Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, died as Regeneration Group (AMARG) eliminated Wing senior leadership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony its Centers across the command. This included the Implementation Program (CCIP) with a rollout ceremony of the Air Force’s move to draw down F-16 forces in Talon. The 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at a result of an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) attack the first of the 39 B-52Gs scheduled for for the second phase of Building 674, the new F-22 activation of the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), for the last aircraft to receive this upgrade. CCIP improved preparation for the F-35 spin-up. Randolph AFB, Texas, assumed the workload from in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, while deployed in destruction to meet New Strategic Arms heavy maintenance facility and composite back shop. the new headquarters of the re-designated Ogden Air the F-16’s combat effectiveness and made maintenance and Lear Siegler (LSI) contractors.
    [Show full text]
  • Airpower in Counterinsurgency and Stability Operations
    Airpower in Counterinsurgency and Stability Operations BY NORTON A. SCHWARTZ n 2001, the U.S. military, aided by indigenous forces, swiftly toppled a Taliban government responsible for providing sanctuary to al Qaeda. In 2003, the Iraqi military disintegrated in the face of a devastat- Iing demonstration of American power that ended the regime of Saddam Hussein. America showcased its unique ability to project power over vast distances to achieve substantial results. Unfortunately, those initial victories were short-lived. As the security situations deteriorated in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States became engaged in longer term irregular conflicts. American and allied militaries struggled to adapt their doctrine, training, and technology to counter an elusive foe. While ground forces relearned and incorporated counterinsurgency (COIN) lessons, Airmen explored how airpower’s flexibility, respon- siveness, and bird’s-eye view of the battlefield could respond to those lessons. This reexamination of airpower revealed several enduring principles. Most important is that Airmen must gain airspace control, so the full advantages of rapid mobility, intelligence, surveillance, and recon- naissance (ISR), and precision strike are available to the commander. At higher altitudes, the adversary generally ceded control, but at lower altitudes, control could be contested. By controlling the air and space over Iraq and Afghanistan, the air component was able to transport thousands of personnel, drop supplies to isolated units, evacuate wounded, gather real-time intelligence, and conduct precision strikes to disrupt and destroy insurgent forces. In addition, air and space control allows Airmen to conduct train, advise, assist, and equip missions for indigenous air forces and to strengthen civil aviation infrastructures necessary for national sovereignty and economic growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Combat Search and Rescue in Desert Storm / Darrel D. Whitcomb
    Combat Search and Rescue in Desert Storm DARREL D. WHITCOMB Colonel, USAFR, Retired Air University Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama September 2006 front.indd 1 11/6/06 3:37:09 PM Air University Library Cataloging Data Whitcomb, Darrel D., 1947- Combat search and rescue in Desert Storm / Darrel D. Whitcomb. p. ; cm. Includes bibliographical references. A rich heritage: the saga of Bengal 505 Alpha—The interim years—Desert Shield— Desert Storm week one—Desert Storm weeks two/three/four—Desert Storm week five—Desert Sabre week six. ISBN 1-58566-153-8 1. Persian Gulf War, 1991—Search and rescue operations. 2. Search and rescue operations—United States—History. 3. United States—Armed Forces—Search and rescue operations. I. Title. 956.704424 –– dc22 Disclaimer Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. Cleared for public release: distribution unlimited. © Copyright 2006 by Darrel D. Whitcomb ([email protected]). Air University Press 131 West Shumacher Avenue Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6615 http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil ii front.indd 2 11/6/06 3:37:10 PM This work is dedicated to the memory of the brave crew of Bengal 15. Without question, without hesitation, eight soldiers went forth to rescue a downed countryman— only three returned. God bless those lost, as they rest in their eternal peace. front.indd 3 11/6/06 3:37:10 PM THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER .
    [Show full text]
  • C-130J Super Hercules Program Status and Fast Facts Super
    June 2021 C-130J Super Hercules Program Status and Fast Facts Program Status Super Hercules Advantages The C-130J Super Hercules provides significant performance improvements and added operational capabilities that translate directly into increased ground and air combat effectiveness. Some of these attributes include the ability to: • Operate out of 2,000 ft. long dirt strips in high mountain ranges. • Carry tons of supplies more than 3,000 miles and deliver “the last mile” to remote operating bases, keeping trucks off dangerous highways. • Perform in-flight refueling, ground fueling, weather reconnaissance, electronic warfare, medical evacuation, search and rescue, paradrop, maritime mission, special operations and many other missions. • Generate much greater operational efficiencies. The C-130J outperforms older C-130s in combat operations by at least a 2:1 margin. • Operate with only two pilots and one loadmaster for most missions, exposing fewer flight crew members to potential combat threats. • Demonstrate reliability that far exceeds most other military aircraft with average mission capable rates routinely in the 80-to-90% range. One Aircraft, Many Capabilities Electronic Air Drop Intelligence, Humanitarian Combat Aeromedical Aerial Search Commercial Surveillance Surveillance & Delivery Refueling & Rescue Freighter Reconnaissance Communication Aerial Personnel Recovery Weather Gunship Maritime Special Passenger Special Ops Personnel Ground Firefighting Reconnaissance Surveillance Accommodations Transport Refueling Super Hercules
    [Show full text]
  • 0307Warriors.Pdf
    Tough Test for Secret Warriors Air Force special operators must fight terrorists and transform themselves—at the same time. By Adam J. Hebert, Senior Editor series of AC-130 gunship greatest evolutions in the command’s In this buildup, AFSOC is creating attacks against suspected illustrious history. several new types of capabilities and terrorist training areas in External military and internal organi- expanding several others. In addition, ASomalia seemingly came out of the zation demands have put unprecedented the Air Force is building a second wing blue in January. The air strikes targeted pressure on the service’s elite 13,000- of special operators. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the alleged strong commando force. Demand for While the rest of the Air Force is mastermind behind the 1998 embassy the air commando’s unique skills has cutting 40,000 personnel and replac- bombings in Africa that killed 225 been so high around the globe that ing large numbers of old aircraft with people. many missions have to be turned down small numbers of new ones, the air This special operation was conducted for lack of manpower and equipment. commandos are hiring. Much of the new with the support of Somalia’s embattled USAF’s special operators are heavily capability is about to reach the field. government—but prior to the first gun- engaged in worldwide combat opera- “We’re growing,” says Lt. Gen. Mi- ship strike on Jan. 7, few knew there was tions, carrying the war to terrorists both chael W. Wooley, AFSOC commander, even a US special operations presence as active combatants and in long-term “as a result of folks recognizing the in the region.
    [Show full text]