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IAF receives upgraded C-130 Hercules, Super Hercules military airlifters.
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World Defense & Security News - Israel
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IAF receives upgraded C-130 Hercules, Super Hercules military airlifters
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Two aircraft in one day: an upgraded C-130 Hercules “Karnaf” and a C-130J Super Hercules “Shimshon” landed in Israel Air Force Nevatim AFB last week and officially joined the tactical transport division, the IAF announced on April 18, 2017.
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 IAF's new C-130 "Karnaf" (left) and C-130J "Shimshon" (right) airlifters(Credit: IAF/Celia Garion) |
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“There is no better way to celebrate the holiday of liberation than with the aircraft that allow us to reach any destination in the world, at any time and in any weather, and perform ground breaking missions that we haven’t executed before, with heightened safety”, said Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim, Commander of Nevatim AFB, in the upgraded “Karnaf” and “Shimshon” arrival ceremony. These aircraft join the “Adir” (F-35I), which landed in the IAF in the passing December, and together they bring about a significant advance in the IAF’s capabilities.
Upgrading the “Karnaf” is a long, complex and expensive process of great importance in which the aircraft’s avionic systems are comprehensively upgraded. “The main goal is to prolong the lives of the chosen aircraft while improving the level of safety, availability and operational capabilities”, said Maj Ofer, Deputy Commander of the “Knights of the Yellow Bird” Squadron, who is also responsible for the establishment department. “It does everything the ‘Karnaf’ does, just safer”. |
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 IAF's new C-130J "Shimshon" airlifter(Credit: IAF/Celia Garion) |
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The “Knights of the Yellow Bird” Squadron is in the midst of a comprehensive organizational change. Maj. Ofer explained that instead of stopping the squadron’s operational activity and building an establishment group, the squadron is doing both, simultaneously. “We divided the squadron into an operations department and establishment department, which are both subordinate to the same commander. We work as two separate units with minimum mutual dependence, so that each one is able to fully focus on its mission”.
The “Elephants” Squadron also recently integrated a number of new aircraft and has underwent a long period of trial and error. “We expanded the number of ‘Shimshon’ aircraft in a very short time”, said Maj. Yoni, head of the Transport Unit in the Weapons Department. “We are currently undergoing a stabilization process. The challenge is to understand how to get into a routine, regarding maintenance and aircrew training, while significantly enlarging the volume of our operational activity”. |
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