US Air Force Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE: The C-130 Hercules is the workhorse of the Air Force and the Special Operations Command relies on several configurations for their operations. The war in Southwest Asia has resulted in combat loss of aircraft, thus the program name, combat loss replacement.
Congress has mandated three and eventually 12 C-130H2s to be modified and put into service to replace lost aircraft. The aircraft will be designated as a MC-130W.
Total program cost is $380 million with all 12 to be delivered by 2009.
The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center made some 26 system modifications to a C-130H to make it capable to be mid-air fueled and then refuel helicopters mid-air to extend their limited range and conduct the full range of combat and civilian search and rescue capabilities and other missions.
The first combat loss replacement aircraft tail number 286 arrived at Robins for modification October 15, 2004 and will be delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command Wednesday, June 28, 2006. Two more CLR aircraft are expected to be delivered in September 2006 and March 2007 respectively.
The CLR program provides a vitally needed capability to prosecute the Global War on Terrorism.
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