Hitting its straps

The C-130J matures in RAAF service

The C-130J Hercules was the fourth iteration of the venerable airlifter to enter service with the RAAF when the first aircraft were delivered in early 2000, after the C-130A in 1958, the C-130E in 1966, and the C-130H in 1978.

But the ‘J’s’ introduction to RAAF service was not a smooth one, with reports of spares shortages and less than satisfactory availability plaguing the fleet for the best part of its first decade of service, issues which have only really been addressed satisfactorily in the past year or two.