First HC-130J delivered to Alaska Guard
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first of four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to the Alaska Air National Guard (AK ANG).
The new aircraft will be operated by the 211th Rescue Squadron (RQS), 176th Wing stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft will replace legacy HC-130Ps previously operated by the 211th RQS. The new aircraft will support personnel recovery missions in Alaska and the Pacific Theatre and act as aerial refuellers for the Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopters.
The HC-130J can perform airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refuelling and forward-area ground refuelling missions. It also supports humanitarian aid operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation and non-combatant evacuation operations.
George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The delivery of this HC-130J Combat King II represents a new era for both the Air National Guard and the Alaska Guard. This aircraft provides the increased capabilities and enhanced performance that is essential for these airmen to support their search and rescue mission.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Brazil’s naval ambitions now firmly anchored in Europe]()
Brazil’s naval ambitions now firmly anchored in Europe
With the Tamandaré frigate commissioned and a second batch under negotiation, Brazil is leveraging European partnerships to position itself as South America’s premier maritime power without surrendering industrial sovereignty.
-
![HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome]()
HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine.
-
![“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling]()
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
