TOP STORY>>A new C-130J Rocks the Rock

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base received its newest C-130J in a ceremony on base on Aug. 20.

The aircraft, the first of five to be delivered to the base in 2013, was flown by Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, director of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

“I have to tell you this aircraft delivery is certainly one of the highlights of my career,” said Woodward. “The C-130 is such an iconic American aircraft and has been such a big part of my Air Force career that to be afforded the opportunity to deliver the very newest one in the fleet is a huge honor for me. But beyond that, to deliver it to the mecca of the C-130 world, the nation’s tactical airlift Center of Excellence holds a special significance.”

Woodward praised Team Little Rock and the support C-130s provide to the global mission of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“The fact of the matter is the United States military simply could not maintain our forward operating bases without the short-field landing and precision airdrop capabilities the C-130 brings to the fight,” she said.

The C-130Js are the newest of the C-130 models, slowly supplanting the legacy fleet of H models, since the J model first arrived at Little Rock AFB in 2004. In 2012, the C-130J flew 23,000 sorties, moved 55,000 tons of cargo and 133,000 passengers, factoring heavily in tactical operations around the globe.

The Rock is the largest C-130 base in the world and is home to the Center of Excellence, the premiere C-130 training school with students from all over the globe, representing partnerships with 46 foreign nations.
Woodward said the Air Force Major Commands combined with the efforts of allied nations will continue to use the C-130J to provide the best tactical airlift support in the world.

“The incredible synergy between the Air National Guard, Reserves, AETC and AMC here truly represents the United States Air Force’s total force at its very best,” she said. “It is because of this incredible melding of total force and civic partnership that I know Team Little Rock will continue to produce the best tactical airlifters in the world, using this very aircraft, for decades to come. And that means these crews and this aircraft will continue to deliver combat airlift wherever and whenever our nation needs it.”