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.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe is challenging Airmen with new weekly workouts that are likely to hurt way more than the service’s new fitness test.