The last C-130E transport assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB, Germany, left the base for good on Monday, marking a historic step in the unit’s transition to the new C-130J model. This C-130E, with tail number 1299, departed for Poland, which is acquiring five C-130Es from the Air Force under a foreign-military-sales arrangement. “We’re sad to see it go,” said MSgt. Jay Mitchell, flight engineer with Ramstein’s 37th Airlift Squadron, of the C-130’s departure. But he added the wing is looking forward to operating the C-130Js. The 86th AW is in the process of building a force of 14 C-130Js. (Ramstein report by SrA. Amanda Dick)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.