Air Mobility Command has declared initial operational capability for the C-130J after the new Hercules transport met “specific criteria,” outlined in this AMC news release. Basically mobility crews employed real field conditions over nine months of testing, showing both what the aircraft could do and how well the aircrews could handle the aircraft. AMC noted that the Maryland Air National Guard’s 135th Airlift Group was the first operational unit to get its full complement of aircraft, or primary aircraft authorized, and has reached the IOC manning requirement. Maryland ANG airmen have deployed frequently to Southwest Asia with the J model.
"Most, if not all," NATO countries will soon achieve their longtime goal of spending 2 percent of their GDPs on defense, but that may not be enough, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said at the NATO ministerial in Brussels. He also said members will be assigned responsibilities that match their capabilities at…