The last of eight C-130Hs arrived at Bradley ANGB in East Granby, Conn., last week, completing the Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing’s conversion from the Learjet C-21, unit officials announced. “We are now inextricably tied to the tactical airlift mission and our conversion to the venerable Hercules points to a very bright future at Bradley,” 103rd AW Commander Col. Frank Detorie said a release. The unit received its first C-130 in June 2013 and is slated to reach initial operational capability on the airlifter in 2016, states the release. “This milestone is incredibly important for the Flying Yankees because the longevity and proud history of the C-130 bodes so well for the future on the Connecticut ANG,” Detorie added.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.