In a release issued today detailing the success of the U.S. Air Force deployment of C-130Js to South West Asia, General John W. Handy, commander of Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command, said: "I am extremely pleased with the performance of the C-130J during this deployment. That success is a testament to the dedicated, professional team of Airmen supporting the mission and the magnificent C-130J. Together, they are setting a pace that will be hard to beat!"

Col. Lawrence Gallogly, commander of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, said the C-130J has performed admirably, and all indications are the aircraft is ideally suited for conditions that require the higher power settings and increased cargo-carrying capacity of the C-130J.

"We have only had [about four weeks] of flying in the theater, but we have already logged in excess of 393 flying hours, carried over 1,743 passengers and over 627 tons of cargo," said the colonel. And, he said as unit personnel become more familiar with the J model and its payload capacity, he expects those numbers will be even higher.

Colonel Gallogly said one of the biggest benefits of the J model has been the aircraft's increased cargo capacity. He said two C-130Js can provide the cargo carrying capacity of almost three E and H model C-130s. "This is a force multiplier for the theater commander," added the colonel.

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 Corp. 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.

For a full transcript of the Air Mobility Command Press Release please go to: http://public.amc.af.mil/news/2005/January/050102.html

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company