Latest J Model Is Done With Phase 2: The newest Hercules—the C-130J—has completed Phase 2 of its operational test & evaluation program, and, officials say, the Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center expects to have a final report by March. The Phase 2 testing included heavy equipment, personnel, and container delivery airdrops at Little Rock AFB, Ark.; simulated combat drops with soldiers at Ft. Polk, La.; cold weather testing at Eielson AFB, Alaska; and high stress flying tests for J aircrews in simulators at Keesler AFB, Miss.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.