US Air Forces in Europe yesterday celebrated the arrival of its first C-130J transport. The aircraft is the first of 14 that will be delivered to Ramstein AB, Germany, by next year, C-130J manufacturer Lockheed Martin said in a release. They will be part of Ramstein’s 86th Airlift Wing, replacing the aged C-130Es that the wing’s 37th Airlift Squadron has been operating. “USAFE truly does bring a lot to the fight, in particular the vital airlift capability we provide in the global war on terror and vital humanitarian operations the world over,” Gen. Roger Brady, USAFE commander, said during the welcoming ceremony. He added, “The C-130J will give us an even greater capacity to perform all those missions.” Ramstein is scheduled to receive 10 C-130Js this year and the remaining four next year, according to Lockheed.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
