Canada's first CC-130J Hercules in the skies Marietta, Georgia. Credit: John Rossino, Lockheed Martin.
The flight took place at the Lockheed Martin Corporation’s manufacturing facility in Marietta, Georgia.
The new tactical airlift fleet will begin its introduction into the Canadian Forces in June 2010 with delivery of the first aircraft six months ahead of the original schedule. The contract for 17 CC-130J Hercules aircraft was awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 2007 and was recently amended to include provisions for fleet maintenance.
The CC-130J Hercules will be based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ont. and will enhance the Canadian Forces’ capability to deploy personnel and equipment, both at home and abroad.
Delivery of the new Hercules marks the beginning of another core fleet replacement in line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to getting the Canadian Forces the equipment they need to carry out their missions.
