The last WC-130H of AFRC’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron has departed Keesler AFB, Miss., finalizing the unit’s conversion to the newer and more advanced WC-130J. All of the “Hurricane Hunters” C-130Hs have been relocated to other squadrons, which will continue to fly them for intratheater airlift missions. The last H—#980—went to AFRC’s 913th Airlift Wing at Willow Grove ARS, Penn.
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.