Modernized asset provides increased capabilities Published May 27, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. James Law 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- When Airmen from the Rhode Island, California, and Maryland Air National Guard deployed here with the Air Force's newest Hercules...the C-130J and C-130J-30 models...airdrop and airlift capabilities supporting military and civilians in Afghanistan were enhanced. "The biggest advantages are its capabilities in terms of what it can haul," said Lt. Col. Mike Comstock, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron director of operations. Colonel Comstock explained the C-130J can fly higher and faster and has better fuel conservation translating to a longer range than its predecessors. The "stretch' model, the C-130J-30, has an added 15 feet of additional cargo space increasing its cargo-carrying capacity from six to eight pallets. "It outperforms the previous models of the C-130 on pretty much all fronts," said Colonel Comstock. "And it does it with a smaller crew complement." The flight engineer and the navigator positions were removed and replaced with technology. All of the navigation information is integrated into heads-up displays in both the pilot's and co-pilot's positions. "The heads-up display is a big deal for the pilots, especially when flying a mission utilizing night vision goggles" said Colonel Comstock. Colonel Comstock explained without heads-up displays, pilots would use the NVGs to check the terrain but would have to look underneath the goggles to check the flight data on the instrument panels. The lighting in older C-130 models was not compatible using NVGs. "We used to tape up chem light sticks because the lighting on E models was not designed for NVGs," said Colonel Comstock. "On this airplane (C-130J) you basically flip a switch and you put the whole airplane in compatible NVG lighting." Another upgrade to the aircraft is the enhanced cargo handling system, a feature that allows the loadmasters to easily make configuration changes. "A scenario we have seen here frequently is we go into a field carrying pallets and have to reconfigure to carry troops out," said Colonel Comstock. On the new models, the rollers used to slide the pallets on are set in panels that can be flipped over putting the rollers into the floor, leaving a flat surface to set up troop transport seating. Previously, the rollers had to be picked up and strapped down on each side of the cargo compartment, taking up space and additional time to accomplish. Whether transporting pallets or coalition forces, the upgrades to the C-130 in the J models have added to its versatility and role as the backbone of intra-theater supply and troop movement.