The delivery of this aircraft follows a record year for C-130J production at the company’s facility in Marietta, Ga. In 2011, 33 C-130J Super Hercules were delivered − a new production record for the C-130J model. Aircraft were delivered in six different configurations for six operators: the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Marine Corps, Canada, India and Qatar.

The C 130 production line in Marietta is the longest continuously operating military aircraft production line in history.

“As we start a new year it is only fitting that the C-130 breaks yet another record and sets a new milestone,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. “The C-130 is the benchmark for airlift around the world and we look forward to this year being another year of excellence for our world-wide customers.”

C-130J aircraft are currently in production for the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, Iraq, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Oman and Tunisia. C-130Js are also flown by Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

The Block 8.1 enhancement, containing both software and hardware capability expansion, will be installed on all U.S. government C-130Js and C-130Js of operator countries that select the upgrade. The C-130J fleet is currently flying with the Block 6.0 configuration, while the Block 7.0 configuration is in flight trials.

“Throughout its history, the C-130 has constantly changed and adapted to ensure it is always relevant and meeting the latest operational requirements,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. “The C 130 is the benchmark for airlift around the world and the Block Upgrade Program ensures interoperability across the worldwide C-130J fleet. This sophisticated degree of commonality across C-130J types and variants is one reason the proven Hercules is in such high demand.”

The new Block 8.1 configuration will include items such as updated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF); TEMPEST compliance; Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast; a Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Data Link; an Enhanced Inter-Communication System; enhanced Approach and Landing Systems; Enhanced Diagnostics; and additional Covert Lighting.

C-130J aircraft are currently in production for the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, Iraq, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Oman and Tunisia. C-130Js are also flown by Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Warm “welcome home” for Task Force Canuck
By Lt Christopher Daniel
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=12471

Dec. 5, 2011

“It’s a great day to be in the Air Force,” said the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk, as he proudly addressed the members, families, and friends of 436 Transport Squadron from 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., as they welcome home Task Force (TF) Canuck from recently completing its mission in Afghanistan.

“It’s a cold day but we can all certainly feel the warm support of everyone,” said Captain James Brown, a pilot from 436 Squadron.

Major-General Alain Parent, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, and Brigadier-General Michael Hood, deputy director general of international security policy as well as a former 8 Wing commander and a former commanding officer of 436 Squadron, joined Gen Natynczyk and more than 300 people giving a warm homecoming welcome to TF Canuck.

In the early morning on Nov. 17, the last remaining CC-130J Hercules left Kandahar after 10 years of continuous service in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan.

“We are happy and proud to have served in the longest continuous tactical airlift operation in the Royal Canadian Air Force history,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Keiver, commanding officer 436 Squadron.

As the aircraft was taxiing in front of 7 Hangar, people stood and clapped while they watched the CC-130J Hercules approaching.

“I’m proud of your 10 years of incredible service in Afghanistan,” said Ge Natynczyk. “I’m proud of the professionalism you’ve shown and I’m proud of this day.”

The Tactical Airlift Unit known as “Task Force Canuck” traces its service in Afghanistan to Op Apollo in 2001, through Op Athena in 2003 and lastly through the Joint Task Force-Afghanistan Air Wing in 2008, making this unit’s contribution to the mission in Afghanistan a milestone in Canadian air mobility operations.

“These men and women were the ones who ensured each of our fallen comrades were brought home with great dignity and the most heartfelt respect,” said Gen Natynczyk. “They’ve brought great honour to the whole of the Royal Canadian Air Force and I am extremely proud of the monumental task they’ve achieved.”

On its flight back home, the CC-130J Hercules flew through India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines to pay tribute to 436 Squadron’s historical roots and help further enhance Canada’s air force to air force friendly relations with the region. It allowed Canadian airmen and airwomen to pay tribute in a solemn ceremony of remembrance to the 15 Royal Canadian Air Force veterans who are interred at the Delhi War Cemetery.

“Your legacy journey recognizing your historic roots as a Squadron, while crewing the RCAF’s newest aircraft, the Super Hercules, is a poignant reminder of what it means to again be the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said BGen Hood, who attended the event on behalf of the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “As we become more agile with the reach and power required for Canadian Forces operations, we do not, and will not, forget the legacy of those brave men and women who have served with great distinction before us.”

It was truly a great day to be in the Royal Canadian Air Force. As the members of 436 Transport Squadron and those who served in TF Canuck proudly say, “We carry the load”.

Nov. 30, 2011

Maj Spencer Selhi, commanding officer of Tactical Airlift Unit, parades his unit under the nose of their last aircraft, CC-130J Hercules number 606, for twilight a “cease ops” ceremony. Credit: MCpl Dan Shouinard.

General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, Major-General Alain Parent, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, and Brigadier-General Michael Hood, Deputy Director General International Security Policy today welcomed home to Canadian Forces Base Trenton Task Force Canuck after successful operations in Afghanistan.

Maj Spencer Selhi, commanding officer of Tactical Airlift Unit, parades his unit under
the nose of their last aircraft, CC-130J Hercules number 606, for twilight a “cease ops”
ceremony. Credit: MCpl Dan Shouinard.

“I’m proud of the work that Task Force Canuck has completed over ten years of engagement in Afghanistan and I thank all of the men and women in uniform for representing the Canadian Forces, and Canadians, so professionally throughout your commitment to this UN-mandated, NATO-led mission to Afghanistan,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “The men and women of Task Force Canuck were instrumental in safely moving our personnel across a dangerous theatre of operations, ultimately contributing to the security umbrella that allows development to take place.”

The Tactical Airlift Unit known as Task Force (TF) Canuck traces its ten year engagement in Afghanistan to Operation Apollo in 2001, through Op Athena in 2003 and lastly through the Joint Task Force-Afghanistan Air Wing in 2008 making this unit’s contribution to the mission in Afghanistan a milestone in Canadian Air Mobility Operations. TF Canuck operated the CC-130 Hercules aircraft to transport Canadian Forces personnel and equipment in and out of Kandahar Airfield, and flew throughout Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) missions.

“Our Hercules aircraft crews, maintainers, supply technicians, drivers and many others, flew or supported more than 3,400 successful logistic and operational missions skillfully and safely during their time in Afghanistan,” said Gen Natynczyk. “These men and women were the ones who ensured each of our fallen comrades were brought home with great dignity and the most heartfelt respect. They’ve brought great honour to the whole of the Royal Canadian Air Force and I am extremely proud of the monumental task they’ve achieved.”

On July, 7 2011, the Canadian combat mission in Afghanistan ended with the handover of the Task Force Kandahar area of responsibility to a U.S. Army task force, and Operation Athena entered its last phase to close down Canada’s longest-running combat mission. During this period, the Air Wing continued to conduct flying operations for ISAF Regional Command (South) while gradually drawing down its personnel and equipment, with the return to Canada expected to be complete in December 2011.

“The return home of the last remaining CC-130 Hercules aircraft after ten years of continuous service in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan is an outstanding milestone,” said MGen Parent. “I commend those who served with Task Force Canuck and indeed the entire Air Wing – your commitment and professionalism assured the success of the longest continuous tactical airlift operation in RCAF history.”

Following the delivery of the first of the CC-130J Super Hercules tactical aircraft to Canada in June 2010 six months ahead of schedule, the J model replaced the H model in Afghanistan in January 2011. On the last flight out of Kandahar, the CC-130J Hercules flew through India and Southeast Asia on its way back home to Canada. During the journey, the flight recognized RCAF historical ties with India, honoured members of 435 and 436 Squadron interred there, and fostered ties between the Royal Canadian Air Force and the air forces of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines. 436 Squadron also had the honour of undertaking the first ever RCAF CC-130J flight around the world, notwithstanding the fact it started five months ago when the aircraft left for Kandahar.

“Your legacy journey recognizing your historic roots as a Squadron, while crewing the RCAF’s newest aircraft, the Super Hercules, is a poignant reminder of what it means to again be the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said BGen Hood, who was at the event on behalf of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “As we become more agile with the reach and power required for Canadian Forces operations, we do not, and will not, forget the legacy of those brave men and women who have served with great distinction before us.”

TF Canuck, formally ceased operations on 16 November 2011 with a sunset ceremony held on the tarmac of Kandahar Airfield.

Note to Editors/News Directors: For more information and imagery on operations in Afghanistan, visit the website of the Canadian Forces Expeditionary Force Command at: http://www.comfec-cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/index-eng.asp.

For more information about the CC-130J Hercules aircraft visit the website of the Royal Canadian Air Force at: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/cc130j/index-eng.asp.