The number of new C-130J transports delivered to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, now stands at 10, with the arrival of two more airframes in December. Brig. Gen. Michael Callan, vice commander of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) flew one of the C-130Js in from Lockheed Martin’s assembly facility in Marietta, Ga., on Dec. 23. The second aircraft touched down at Ramstein that same day. Overall, the 37th AS is slated to receive a total of 14 C-130Js, which are replacing the unit’s C-130E warhorses that served for decades. Lockheed has said the four remaining C-130Js will be delivered in 2010. (Ramstein photo caption by MSgt. Jim Fisher)
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.