Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday that it recently completed assembly of the 200th C-130J transport aircraft, representing a significant achievement for the airlifter program. “The C-130J proves itself on a daily basis while engaged in combat, peacekeeping, humanitarian, and disaster-relief operations,” said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed’s C-130 vice president. This 200th airframe was the second HC-130J rescue tanker being built for Air Combat Command. The Air Force is buying the HC-130Js to replace its current 40-year-old fleet of HC-130s. Lockheed rolled out the first HC-130J in April. The Air Force is also acquiring C-130J combat-delivery airframes and MC-130Js, which are optimized for special operations.
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…