Celebrating the arrival of the next two C-130J Hercules

The aircraft touched down at Whenuapai, flying from Apia, Western Samoa, the final leg of their delivery journey from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia in the United States.

NZ7012 and NZ7013 landed at the air base yesterday afternoon nearly a month after the first aircraft arrived. The next two aircraft, which will complete the fleet, will arrive in the coming weeks.

Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb said the arrivals marked a strengthening of the Air Force’s capability.

“The entire team will be getting straight down to business after the aircraft arrive with flights already scheduled around New Zealand and down to Antarctica for the summer season.

“The aircraft marks a once-in-a-generation change for No. 40 Squadron and it will continue the work of its predecessor, the C-130H, which was a powerhouse for New Zealand military aviation.”

As its predecessor was, the new aircraft will be a mission critical capability for the New Zealand Defence Force, but this model has more power, can fly further and faster, and can carry more troops and cargo.

Air Vice-Marshal Webb welcomed the expansion of the C-130J fleet and said it would maintain No. 40 Squadron’s work both here, in the Pacific and around the world.

“They are a significant Government investment in New Zealand’s ability to respond to national and international emergencies, whether they be natural humanitarian disasters or providing support in areas of conflict.

“I am looking forward to the final two aircraft arriving to complete the fleet of five and in typical no fuss C-130 fashion simply getting on with the wide range of work that needs to be done,” Air Vice-Marshal Webb said.