Members of the Canadian Air Force arrived at Little Rock AFB, Ark., recently for a close up view of how the US trains its C-130J aircrews. The 12 Canadians—aircrew and maintainers—spent a week absorbing training lessons and information about the newest Hercules, in preparation for transition from the current Canadian fleet of C-130Es and Hs to the J models. Canada currently plans to buy 17 C-130Js from Lockheed Martin. Canadian Maj. Derek Miller, operational requirements manager on this program, said that it’s time for Canada to “trade up to a digital airframe” from its older C-130s, which “have begun to show signs of age.”
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…