Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Tunisia has become the first African country to receive
an advanced U.S.-origin military air transport.

On April 4, Tunisia took formal delivery of the first of two C-130J Super Hercules
aircraft from Lockheed Martin.

“Fifteen countries have already selected the C-130J to meet their
airlift requirements,” L-M vice president George Shultz said.

In 2010, Tunisia signed a contract with L-M for the C-130J. L-M said the
second air transport would be delivered by 2014 in a project that also
included training and logistics support.

Executives said Tunisia ordered the so-called stretched variant of
C-130J. The North African air force has been operating a fleet of aging
C-130B and H models procured in the 1980s.

“The new C-130Js will support Tunisian operations across the mission
spectrum, including relief efforts around the world, firefighting and
traditional airlift sorties,” L-M said.

Tunisia has been one of a handful of Middle East states that ordered the
Super Hercules. Other regional clients included Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Oman
and Qatar.

  Lockheed Martin, Super Hercules, U.S. delivers first of two C-130J transports to Tunisia