Moody’s First King Retires

The 71st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., retired the first of its HC-130P aircraft as the unit converts to the new HC-130J variant. Aircraft No. 65-0987 departed the Georgia base for the final time on Sept. 25 on a flight to the Air Force’s aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., according to a Sept. 28 Moody release. “We hated to see her go, but [we] know she has served a long and faithful service to the nation,” said CMSgt. Jeffrey Leemon, 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent. This aircraft previously served with the Coast Guard before coming to Moody more than 15 years ago, states the release. The aircraft logged more than 20,500 flight hours during its service life, notes the release. The squadron will phase out its legacy HC-130Ps—10 in all, according to a 347th Rescue Group fact sheet—as factory-fresh HC-130Js arrive from Lockheed Martin’s plant in Marietta, Ga. (Moody report by SSgt. Ciara Wymbs)