Air Mobility Command declares initial operational capability for the C-130J.The Maryland Air National Guard’s 135th Airlift Group deployed the first two J-model Hercules to Southwest Asia in December 2004.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.