Tunisia will purchase two C-130J transports, becoming the first African nation to acquire the J-model aircraft, Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014, the company said. Contract signing took place in February in Tunis. Tunisia already operates some C-130Hs and C-130Bs. It becomes the 12th nation to select the C-130J, joining Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Italy, Norway, Oman, Qatar, and the US. US Air Force C-130Js made their debut in Africa back in December supporting Air Forces Africa’s activities on that continent.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.