The French Air Force welcomed its rst C-130J
(a stretched -30) at Orléans-Bricy Air Base
on January 15. France will receive a total of
four Super Hercules aircraft – two C-130J-30s
and two KC-130J refuellers. Lockheed Martincarried out the maiden ight of France’s rst
C-130J-30 at its Marietta, Georgia, facility
on November 22. The second example is
expected to arrive later this year, with both KC-
130Js slated for delivery in 2019.The nal ight for the last six Portuguese
Air Force Alpha Jets took place on January- The aircraft were part of Esquadra 103
Caracóis at BA11 Beja.
They served as an advanced jet trainer
and operational transitional trainer for the
Portuguese Air Force.
On the last day, the six aircraft headed
25 miles (40km) northeast to the border
of the Beja/Évora districts over the
Alqueva Dam for a 45min air-to-air photo
shoot. The formation returned to Beja for
ypasts in front of former and current Esq
103 members, their families and aviation
enthusiasts. The last Alpha Jet ‘15250’
landed at 1310hrs.
None of the aircraft were given a special
livery for the retirement event. Three wereadorned with the Asas de Portugal (Wings
of Portugal – once the aerobatics team)
scheme, two were in standard operational
colours and the blue airframe retained
markings celebrating 50 years of Esq 103 –
that had been applied in 2003.
At present, the Portuguese Air Force has
no plans to replace the type. Aaron Paxton- Aviation in Action
The farewell formation
of Portuguese Alpha
Jets. Aaron Paxton –
Aviation in ActionMILITARY NEWS
6Portuguese
Alpha Jet Farewell
The rst of two C-130J-30s destined for the French Air Force departs Dobbins Air Reserve
Base, Georgia, for its maiden ight on November 22. Lockheed Martin/Todd R McQueenJordan’s First Mil
Mi-26 Arrives
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF)
received its rst Mil Mi-26T2 Halo on
January 17. The helicopter, serial number
06819, landed at Marka Military Airport,
wearing a large falcon painted on its
camou aged fuselage.
In the next few months the aircraft will
be tested and evaluated before entry into
service, although it is not known which
squadron it will operate with.
The RJAF ordered four of the world’s
largest serially produced helicopter from
Russian Helicopters in 2016.French C-130J Welcomed
Aviation News incorporating Jets March 2018TSP F-16s in Estonia
A Theater Security Package (TSP) of 12
F-16s and nearly 300 airmen from the
180th Fighter Wing (FW), Ohio Air National
Guard, deployed on January 14, to Amari
AB, Estonia. About 75 personnel from the
52nd FW at Spangdahlem AB in Germany,
are supporting the operation. The Fighting
Falcons will conduct training missions out of
Amari until March 7 and will participate in a
52nd FW-led exercise from Spangdahlem.06-08_military_newsDC.mfDC.mf.indd 6 05/02/2018 10: