Lockheed Martin has delivered the first HC-130J Combat King II to the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The aircraft was flown from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' facility to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., by Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, commander, 19th Air Force. Kirtland will be the main training base for both the new HC-130J and the MC 130J Combat Shadow IIs being delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command.

This aircraft is one of 11 HC-130Js that have been ordered to date.

"On behalf of 19th Air Force and Air Education and Training Command, I am proud to deliver the first of the next-generation tactical airlift platforms - the HC-130J 'Combat King II' - to the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base," said Gen. Solo.

"This aircraft provides greater speed, range, flexibility, and capability to operational commanders in their pursuit of personnel recovery, special operations, global combat missions, and humanitarian assistance. The 58 SOW will employ this new aircraft to train mission-ready Personnel Recovery and Special Operations aircrews to serve in the world's best Air and Space Force."

"The HC-130Js and MC-130Js we are now delivering to the Air Force represent a tremendous leap in mission capability," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs.

"The training of crews and maintainers is a critical element in bringing a new capability online and we look forward to working with AETC and our fellow Lockheed Martin companies in achieving a 2012 Initial Operational Capability."

The new aircraft, which is based on a KC-130J tanker baseline, has the Enhanced Service Life Wing, Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (boom refueling receptacle), an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a combat systems operator station on the flight deck, and dual Satcom. In-line production of this configuration reduces cost and risk, and meets the required 2012 initial operational capability.