The Franco-German Hercules squadron at Base aérienne 105 in Évreux recently reached a remarkable milestone with 4,700 flights and 10,000 flight hours. Almost 44,000 passengers and more than 23,000 tons of material were transported.
Construction of the transport tug only began in 2020, and it was officially put into service on March 9, 2022. The joint project of the German Armed Forces and the French army currently consists of a total of seven C-130Js (including two in the KC-130J tanker version) from manufacturer Lockheed Martin. By the end of the first quarter of next year, the fleet is to be increased to a total of ten aircraft, and the number of personnel will then be around 300. The training center currently under construction in Évreux, including a simulator, will also be ready by then.
MILESTONE ALERT! As the first bi-national C-130J Super Hercules squadron, French and German crews fly a joint fleet of C-130J-30s and KC-130Js. The squadron celebrated 10,000 flight hours. Félicitations, Glückwunsch, Congratulations, @Armee_de_lair + @Team_Luftwaffe! ???????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/xA0w2AxiwA
– Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) November 27, 2023
“The binational Rhine Squadron is a unique cooperation in Europe. Today we proudly celebrate a binational milestone, the 10,000 flight hours of the C-130J, and continue to focus on increasing the performance of this great unit,” said French squadron captain Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Henri.
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