Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has received its first U.S.-origin advanced air transport.

The Israel Air Force welcomed the arrival of the C-130J at the Nevatim air base on April 9. This marked the first such aircraft out of an Israeli order of three Super Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

“We see the strengthening of the connection between countries, a relationship based on shared values and interests,” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said.

[On April 10, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced the launch of an indigenous reconnaissance satellite. The military platform, called Ofeq-10, was said to mark an upgrade of previous satellites meant to monitor Iran.]

The C-130J was formally delivered to the Air Force in June 2013. But the aircraft, said to have a range of 4,000 kilometers, remained in the United States for the installation of Israeli-origin subsystems.

Over the last few months, the Israel Air Force sent pilots to Italy and
the United States for instruction on the C-130J. The training was said to
have focused on simulations that presented operational scenarios as well as
aircraft technology.

“This first C-130J represents a new generation of transport aircraft
that will bring unique capabilities and superior performance,” L-M president
Marillyn Hewson said.

Israel has been operating the heritage C-130 since 1971. The E and H
aircraft were deployed in the transport of combat troops, search-and-rescue
and humanitarian missions.

“The IAF — more than technology, more than planes and helicopters, more
than UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] — relies on its manpower — the
pilots, mechanics, technicians and auxiliary combat soldiers,” Ya’alon said.

  Israel gets first C-130J Super Hercules, Lockheed Martin, Moshe Ya’alon, Ofeq-10