A US Air Force Reserve Command crew flew their C-130J stretch model Hercules from the Mississippi Delta to Germany and then 3,500 miles nonstop to the Dubai air show in United Arab Emirates. The AFRC C-130J from the 815th Airlift Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss., made the 8,000-mile trip “with payload,” says Lockheed Martin. Company officials noted that the J model has to its credit 54 world aviation records for speed, altitude with payload, and short take-off and landing with payload. The 815th AS Flying Jennies received their first C-130J—the original shorter version—in 1999.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…