Keesler's Flying Jennies receive final C-130J-30
by Airman 1st Class Tabitha Spinks
403rd Wing Public Affairs
1/10/2007 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 815th Airlift Squadron delivered the unit's final C-130J-30 aircraft to Keesler Jan. 9 after accepting it from the manufacturer at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
Maj. Gen. Hanford "Rusty" J. Moen Jr. piloted the aircraft from Georgia to Mississippi. General Moen is the director of intelligence, air, space and information operations at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
Delivery of the aircraft was the last step in the unit's conversion to the J-model. The conversion began Oct. 12, 1999.
The 815th AS, also known as the Flying Jennies, has been instrumental in getting the J-model qualified for combat. The unit has participated in testing and evaluation of this new weapons system since 1998.
Most recently, unit reservists deployed to Central and South America to assist U.S. Southern Command with drug interdiction efforts. In the past, they have deployed an aircraft and aircrews to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Their participation in the Air Force's first combat deployment of the new C-130J-30 a "stretched" version of the aircraft, proved it can travel faster, farther and higher than older Hercules while carrying more troops and equipment.
In addition to eight C-130J-30s, the squadron's 403rd Wing also flies 10 WC-130J's. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)
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