A 44-year-old C-130 tactical airlifter that received a Purple Heart during the Vietnam War and has been operating in Southwest Asia has flown its last combat mission. Capt. Christopher Moore reports that the veteran Hercules, No. 63-7865, accumulated more than 29,500 flying hours over its service. It now goes back to Ramstein AB, Germany, its current assignment, before making the trip to the Boneyard at the Davis-Monthan Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.