Story by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
The first of RNZAF’s new C-130J Hercules has received its operational paint scheme as flight crews continue to receive certification to fly the new, bigger aircraft.
RNZAF 40 Squadron (Auckland) are due to start taking delivery of five new C-130 next year as the current C-130Hs are phased out of service.
“It took 14 painters two days to apply 238 litres of paint on the 11.85-metre high aircraft, using ladders and scaffolding,” says Andrew Rooney, the project team Lead at NZ’s Ministry of Defence.
“RNZAF markings will be applied in the coming months, including the RNZAF Kiwi roundel and No. 40 Squadron’s mariner’s compass. The second C-130J aircraft is having its engines fitted and will shortly head to the paint shop at Lockheed Martin’s factory in Georgia, US.”
The new aircraft will be able carry more cargo due to their extra 4.5 metre length and payload capacity of 21 tonnes. With a 15-tonne payload, they will also be able to travel 2400 nautical miles, compared to the current 1800 nautical miles for the ‘H’.
The fleet will be used as a first response option, for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and deployment of personnel and equipment domestically and internationally.
The first three crews of No. 40 Squadron are now fully-trained and certified to fly the C-130J aircraft; some of the crew and maintenance personnel just completed an exercise in Hawaii where they were embedded with the US Air Force 19th Airlift Wing.
The construction of the full motion flight simulator continues in the US with testing now under way. At RNZAF Base Auckland, work on the building to house the simulator is well under way with the roof to be added early next year.
FLIGHT SIMULATOR
The first phase of construction of the RNZAF Super Hercules flight simulator was completed in Montreal, Canada, before it was shipped by road to Tampa, Florida, for the installation of equipment, software and visuals.
The full-mission flight simulator is going to New Zealand as part of a $1.5 billion NZ-US deal to supply five new C-130J-30 Super Hercules, along with spare parts, crew training, and a simulator.
Rooney said the simulator was scheduled to arrive in New Zealand in 2025.
“The simulator will be located at RNZAF Base Auckland, where No. 40 Squadron (which maintains and flies the Hercules) is based,” he said.
To house the simulator, the building will stand nearly 16 metres high.
“Simulators reduce maintenance and flight time on actual aircraft, saving money and time, and reducing the risk to people and aircraft,” Rooney explained.
“They also improve crew safety and preparedness as they can train for different emergency situations and poor weather conditions in a simulated flight environment”.
TRANSITION PLANNING
The RNZAF’s C-130J Transition Unit (JTU), headed by Wing Commander (WGCDR) Gareth “Case” Russell, will focus on ensuring the smooth introduction of the C-130J.
“The C-130J is the next step in modernising our fleet and increasing our capability; it can fly further, faster and carry more passengers and cargo than we’ve been able to achieve before,” he said.
“Standing up a transition unit is essentially building a unit from the ground up. As military professionals we are practiced in regularly changing roles.
“Normally this involves moving into a position where the team around you knows their job inherently. In the case of a transition ‘pop-up’ unit, building foundational relationships, structures and culture is a unique challenge.” WGCDR Russell is looking forward to the coming months when more personnel will join the JTU.
“There is flexibility to evolve the JTU as we need … The end state is that we will be absorbed into No. 40 Squadron, which incorporates Boeing flight and Hercules flight as an integrated team,” WGCDR Russell said.
He said the introduction of new capability requires significant work, not least by New Zealand personnel based overseas.
“We currently have maintenance, aircrew and support personnel training and working across several locations in the United States. The dedication of these aviators and their families is critical to mission success at the speed of relevance.”
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