Air Force Grounds 30 Aging C-130s
February 18, 2005 - On recommendation from the C-130 System Program Office at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, 30 aging C-130 Hercules airplanes were grounded by the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command on February 10. Concerns with the center wing box structure, the area where the wings are fitted to the fuselage, prompted the action.
“Such a precaution ensures the safety and well-being of our equipment and, most importantly, our airmen,” said Col. Darren W. McDew, 43rd Airlift Wing commander, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, where 14 of its 31 aircraft were grounded.
Some members of the North Carolina congressional delegation say they plan to ask for money to update the fleet. Plans are for the Vietnam-era airplanes to be replaced at Pope in coming years. President Bush’s budget proposal indicates that the Defense Department had terminated its program to update the C-130s.
Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and member of the Armed Services Committee, said she supports the replacement aircraft. “I’m confident that funding for the C-130J will be restored in light of the recent safety groundings of some of our old E and H models,” she said. |
