CANNON AFB to recieve C-130H

[eagle driver]

Post taken from MSF

Lockheed C-130H Hercules
s/n 82-0056
c/n 382-4971
ex-164th AS, 179th AW
=======================================
Cannon welcomes Hercules’ power

By Staff Sgt. Charles Dickens
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

December 04, 2017

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — A C-130H Hercules arrived on the flightline of Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico on November 29, 2017 with no intention of leaving. The plane is being absorbed into the 16th Special Operations Squadron’s repertoire to more easily manage pilot training proficiencies, in addition to other positives.

“The purpose of gaining the C-130H is to facilitate aircrew training and free up our combat-coded aircraft to perform their primary missions,” said Maj. Carrie Kerner, 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer.

Cannon AFB has been managing missions and training using AC-130W Stinger IIs, which provide a similar experience, but with unnecessary complexity.

“This is our first and only C-130H at Cannon,” Kerner said. “We refer to this as a ‘slick’ C-130 because it doesn’t have the additional capabilities and equipment that our AC-130Ws have been modified for, like the 105mm cannon and 30mm gun. The AC-130W is essentially a heavily-modified C-130H in high demand and short supply.”

While the AC-130W is an incredible gunship, using it to maintain training is not the best use of this aircraft, with millions of dollars in upgrades over the C-130H. These upgrades increase maximum combat capabilities, though are not necessary for maintaining pilot proficiencies.

“From a maintenance perspective, the C-130H is simpler and cheaper to maintain,” Kerner said. “Plus, when the C-130H is down for maintenance repairs, there is no impact to our alert commitment or deployment rotations.”

Overall, the addition of a C-130H Hercules to Cannon AFB will provide the base and the 16th SOS with a welcome increase in proficiency capabilities while also increasing mission strength and readiness.

“Nothing spurs creativity and ingenuity more than seeing an idea go from the bottom up and gain traction so quickly,” said Lt. Col. Adam Moore, 16th SOS Commander. “With this aircraft, we will be able to provide critical pilot proficiency to allow our mission AC-130W aircraft to focus on tactical training and ensure we have the squadron ready to execute the nation's most difficult missions at all times.”