Air Mobility Command has activated the 41st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, Ark., making it the first active duty combat C-130J squadron. Little Rock received its first new J model Hercules last month. The 41st AS was assigned to Pope AFB, N.C., but BRAC 2005 sent the Black Cats packing and trading in their C-130Es. The unit’s members began the move in February.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
