Flying Jennies, C-130J's return to Southwest Asia

Published Feb. 25, 2008
403rd Wing

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The "Flying Jennies" of Air Force Reserve Command's 815th Airlift Squadron will return to Southwest Asia in March to support of the Global War on Terrorism.

"Three years ago, we completed a record-setting event by deploying the J-model in combat. Now we are again called upon to serve our nation by taking the battle-proven C-130J back to the desert and we're excited," Col. Jay Jensen, commander of the 403rd Operations Group.

The 815th Flying Jennies will go back to the desert after they established the full-time fighting capability of the C-130J three years ago. This time they will work with active-duty units such as the 314th Airlift Wing from Little Rock AFB, Ark., to continue showing the combat capabilities of the J-model.

In December 2004, Citizen Airmen of the 815th teamed up with Air National Guardsmen from Rhode Island flying the C-130J-30 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They flew many missions to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries, marking the first time the Air Force flew the J-model in combat.

Later that year, the Air Force Reserve squadron logged another first, circumnavigating the globe in a C-130J while supporting Aero India, one of the largest aviation trade shows in the world.

Squadron aircrews fly troops and cargo to combat zones and forward operating areas. If requested, they can provide aeromedical evacuation and augment strategic airlift to forces.

One of the deploying aircraft is the "Spirit of Biloxi." It is a Super Hercules dedicated to the city of Biloxi in 2006 in honor of the partnership between the Citizen Airmen of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing and the local community.

"The Gulf Coast is our home," said Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, 403rd Wing commander. "Every time the J-model flies a mission or lands on a narrow dirt airstrip in a foreign land, the men and women of the 403rd Wing carry with them the support of the people of the Gulf Coast."

The 403rd Wing will soon celebrate flying more than 35,000 hours in the J-model over the past nine years. The wing plans to hold a ceremony April 22 to commemorate this milestone. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)