The first factory-fresh C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 39th Airlift Squadron arrived at Dyess AFB, Tex., guided down by Maj. Gen. Rick Martin, Air Mobility Command’s operations director, announced aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin. “The pride and professionalism of the Lockheed Martin employees in this weapon system comes through loud and clear,” said Martin, ferrying the aircraft from Marietta, Ga., to Dyess on Feb. 9. The stretched C-130J-30, serial number 85685, is the 14th Super Herk to be delivered to Dyess. Overall, the base is slated to receive a total of 28 J-model aircraft, replacing the 317th Airlift Group’s legacy Hercules fleet by next year. The group also includes the 40th AS, which already flies the C-130J. (Dyess photo caption by A1C Peter Thompson)
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducted virtual talks on April 16 with his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Dong Jun, Beijing's Minister of Defense, marking the first direct talk between defense chiefs of the two nations in close to two years.