The airmen of the 517th Airlift Squadron deployed to Southwest Asia from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, have marked the last combat flight they will make in the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter, which the squadron has flown since 1960. The Alaskan unit is transitioning to the new C-17 strategic airlifter. According to the Rock Slate, the 517th Firebirds amassed more than 6,000 mishap-free combat flying hours covering operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
