The whirling blades of the four Rolls-Royce turbo-prop engines drowned out all other sounds on Eglin’s flightline as the 96th Test Wing’s newest aircraft rolled to a stop at its new home July 17.
Members of the 417th Flight Test Squadron, braved the July heat to welcome their new C-130J model, the first C-130 officially assigned to their five-year-old squadron. The 417th FLTS fly, maintain and test C-130 variants from multiple major command and nation partners for missions such as special operations, combat search and rescue, tactical mobility and close air support. Until now, the unit didn’t have any aircraft directly assigned to it.
The aircraft, procured from Air Force Special Operations Command’s Harrisburg Air National Guard unit, the 193rd Special Operations Wing, is expected to accelerate test and expand aircrew skills. It provides the unit another test aircraft, but also a training asset to allow aircrew to better maintain currency in flying night low level, airdrop, and air-to-air refueling.
“Often these tactical events are difficult to maintain currency or proficiency on, due to not having a dedicated aircraft at our disposal, but instead relying on aircraft dedicated to test,” said Lt. Col. Catherine Olszewski, 417th FLTS commander. “Keeping our aircrew trained and proficient better maintains our ability to test effectively and safely."