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Israel receives first C-130J Super Hercules

  • Published
  • By James Branch
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Representatives from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the State of Israel June 26.

Maj. Gen. Richard Johnston, assistant deputy under secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, and George Shultz, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's C-130 programs, took part in a ceremony in the company's Marietta production facility. They passed the aircraft's golden key to Aharon Marmarosh, director of Government of Israel Ministry of Defense, Mission to the United States of America.

The addition of the C-130J to Israel brings them greater airlift capability, during humanitarian as well as combat operations, said Johnston. Israel is slated to receive two more of the advanced transport aircraft.

The aircraft delivery extends the partnership between the U.S and Israeli air forces, according to Johnston.

Fifteen countries use the C-130J Super Hercules to meet their air mobility needs. C-130Js currently are deployed in two combat theaters.

In non-combat, and often harsh environments, C-130Js support humanitarian missions such as search and rescue, aerial firefighting and delivering relief supplies after earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis around the world.

"Israel's new C-130J builds on the tradition of its predecessors and offers the IAF unique capabilities that are not only proven, but without equal," said Shultz. "With its glass cockpit and modern digital avionics, the C-130J has proven it performs in all environments: hot, cold, dirt and sand. This aircraft will serve the IAF as the C-130 always has -- anywhere, anytime."

Israel ordered its C-130Js through a Foreign Military Sale contract with the U.S. Government. Upon delivery, this aircraft will move into a modification program and receive Israeli-unique systems. An in-country delivery for this C-130J is scheduled for spring 2014.