C-130J Hercules shines for Paris Air Show
LE BOURGET AIRPORT, France — Spectators view an aerial demonstration by a HC-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 39th Rescue Squadron from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The HC-130 Hercules aircraft is an extended-range, combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport and was brought for display at the 2009 Paris Air Show, June 15-21. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez)
LE BOURGET AIRPORT, France — Spectators view a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft on display at the 2009 Paris Air Show. The aircraft and its crew are assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The C-17 Globemaster III is a four engine turbofan aircraft capable of airlifting large payloads over intercontinental ranges without refueling and was brought for display at the 2009 Paris Air Show, June 15-21. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez)
LE BOURGET AIRPORT, France — Tech. Sgt. Bruce Slamin HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew member demonstrates pararescue gear required on rescue missions to two air show spectators. Sgt Slamin is assigned to the 39th Rescue Squadron from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The HC-130 Super Hercules aircraft is an extended-range, combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport and was brought for display at the 2009 Paris Air Show, June 15-21. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez)
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LE BOURGET AIRPORT, France — A super cargo C-130J Hercules aircraft and eight of its pilots and crew members arrived at Le Bourget Airport outside of Paris, France to take part in the 2009 Paris Air Show June 15-21.
The plane and its crew, commanded by Lt. Col. Bryan Allen, belong to the 146th Airlift Wing located in the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station at the Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, Ca.
The C-130J Hercules is one of 15 U.S. Department of Defense military aircraft chosen to partake in the 100th Anniversary of the Paris Air Show. The C-130 aircraft is a tactical airlifter used by military forces worldwide, it is a versatile aircraft and is fitted in different configurations for which it can play many different roles. Among its many uses, the C-130 can be utilized as a gunship for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol and aerial firefighting.
The 146th Airlift Wing utilizes the C-130J in two very important roles. The first is a federal role carrying personnel, equipment and supplies to various locations throughout Europe and Middle East. The second is its State of California humanitarian assistance role. The wing is one of four units in the nation to have the capability to convert the aircraft for fighting wild fires. The plane and its crew are all trained and certified in aerial firefighting, this includes training on using the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, which consists of loading and operating a large tank that holds three thousand pounds of fire retardant. This tank is loaded through the rear of the aircraft and has a nozzle that dispenses three-thousand lbs. of fire retardant in flight within three to five seconds. The retardant coats a large area that slows the spread of wild fires.
"We received the request by the Pentagon and Air National Guard Bureau to use our C-130J for show," said Master Sgt. Art Jasso, who accomplished most of the leg work to get the wing's C-130J to Paris. "We chose the crew and got everyone's diplomatic clearances. The experience is a bit different and more intense than other air shows."
Their trek to the show began in the Channel Islands, Ca. They flew cross-country to Boston, across the Atlantic to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, then over the channel to Ramstein Air Base, Germany to drop-off personnel and equipment. In Germany, they picked-up the Bravo 57th Air Defense Artillery unit who are co-air show participants and reached their destination at Le Bourget Airport, France.
"It is quite an honor to be able to say 'Here is our California Air National Guard, United States Air Force, with the most advanced C-130 airlift aircraft in the world attending the 100th Anniversary of the Paris Air Show' is really kinda nice," said Allen. "Many of us have never been to Paris, France. It was neat flying because in the distance you can see the Eifel Tower, and land in this historic airport. This is the airport that Charles Lindbergh flew into and it was great to experience that as an aviator. Charles Lindbergh is one of my heroes."
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