The U.S. Air Drive 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130J Fight King II tail quantity 13-5785 was devoted as the latest twenty third Wing Flagship March 30, 2022. Dubbed “The Whale Shark,” this J-model 130, is the primary to function the Flying Tiger Tooth and replaces the earlier Flagship plane, an HH60G Pavehawk, which at the moment sits in retirement on the George W. Bush Airpark. U.S. Air Drive Col. Russell Prepare dinner, twenty third Wing commander selected the HC-130J Fight King II because the twenty third Wings Flagship because of its similarities to the HC-130P King which refueled his missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.
A Flagship is a devoted plane with both the squadron, group, or wing commander’s identify, and the devoted crew chief’s identify painted on the plane. Flagships primarily function the delight of a base or models’ fleet of plane, and are normally chosen to symbolize a sure mission or thought. The selection of plane additionally stands out as a historic first for the twenty third Wing. Together with the tooth and commander’s identify, the tail flash and tail quantity are shadowed with white accents to assist the plane stand out. Because the devoted Flagship, HC-130J Fight King II tail 13-5785 will proceed to fly and unfold the twenty third Wing’s mission in an operational capability.
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“We identify the jets, we name them her or him, paint mustaches and tooth on them as an extension of ourselves. The shark tooth of Claire Chennault’s Flying Tigers have as soon as once more returned to the HC-130, humanizing a machine that’s as a lot a warfighter as any of us,” Col. Russell Prepare dinner mentioned throughout a speech on the dedication ceremony.
“Each Wing has a Flagship, and Col. Prepare dinner selected the HC-130J for what it represents. This aircraft represents the rescue dedication to journey the world and save lives to embody the motto, ‘That others might stay’.,” mentioned 2nd Lt. Dusty Strickland, 71st RQS sortie help flight commander.
The HC-130J Fight King II is an extended-range model of the C-130J Hercules transport. Its mission is to quickly deploy to execute combatant commander directed restoration operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all climate personnel restoration operations to incorporate airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling, and ahead space floor refueling missions. Modifications to the HC-130J have improved navigation, risk detection and countermeasures methods. It additionally has forward-looking infrared, radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, satellite tv for pc and data-burst communications, and the flexibility to obtain gasoline inflight through a Common Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Set up (UARRSI).
