Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules demonstrated impressive performance, mission-effectiveness and reliability in Exercise Combined Strength, the first-ever airlift competition featuring only C-130Js.

The Royal Australian Air Force's 37 Squadron captured the winner's trophy in the inaugural "J Rodeo." Placing second and third, respectively, were U.S. teams from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Exercise Combined Strength was held April 19-23 at RAF Lyneham in the United Kingdom.

"The primary reason we were here was to get to know the other J operators, fly with them and learn from them. From that standpoint, the exercise was a huge success," said Flight Lt. Michael Crooks, the chief of the Australian team.

The field included eight teams representing the host Royal Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, the Italian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. Other C-130J operators, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Danish Air Force, sent aircrews to observe the competition.

Each team competed in low-level navigation, airdrop accuracy and spot landing events -- important skills for delivering supplies to small, confined landing strips in combat areas. The Super Hercules proved highly reliable, maintaining a 100 percent sortie-completion rate throughout the week.

Two important operator user councils, the C-130J Operations Working Group and the International J Maintenance User Group, held meetings at Lyneham in conjunction with the competition. The C-130J Operations Working Group is a joint steering committee comprised of the senior pilots and members of the command staffs from each the C-130J operators. The International J Maintenance User Group is the maintenance organization counterpart to the Operations Working Group.

The complete order of finish was: (1) 37 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Richmond; (2) 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Keesler AFB, Miss.; (3) 314th Airlift Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Little Rock AFB, Ark.; (4) 46th Air Brigade, Italian Air Force, Pisa AB; (5) 24 Squadron, Royal Air Force, RAF Lyneham; (6) 146th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, Channel Islands ANGS, Calif.; (7) 143rd Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, Quonset Point Airport, Providence, R.I.; and (8) 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force, RAF Lyneham.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the C-130. More than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to 60 countries since the program began. Today, 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, fly the Hercules. The C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.

A total of 179 C-130Js have been ordered, with 112 delivered to date. In the United States, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard is now introducing the HC-130J into service. International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force. The capabilities and performance of the C-130J in supporting light, fast and lethal combat operations make it a true transformational asset.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company