by Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
9/21/2014 - WATERKLOOF AIR FORCE BASE, South Africa -- Hundreds
of thousands people from all over the world gathered in line to see a
C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on display at the
Africa Aerospace & Defence Expo here Sept. 20-21.
The nine-Airman crew from the C-130J was part of a total-force team of
Guard, Reserve and active-duty Soldiers and Airmen. A C-17 Globemaster
III crew from New York and an Army RQ-7B Shadow joined the C-130J at the
show.
The Super Hercules crew made the two-day trip from Germany to explain
the aircraft's capabilities and allow the nearly 350,000 visitors of the
expo to see first-hand what the aircraft looks like up close and ask
questions of the crew. There was so much public interest in the aircraft
and crew, the line to view it extended about as far as the C-130 is
long.
"We're here to showcase the aircraft for the trade show," said Senior
Airman Nick McVittie, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "We explain what
we do, where we are from and answer any questions they might have."
McVittie explained that their mission isn't just for the public's
understanding of their capabilities, but the partnership with African
nations that makes the trip worthwhile.
"It's very important for us to share experiences and knowledge with each
other," he said. "Showing the capabilities of the C-130J to our African
partners is a big deal -- the more familiar we all are with each
other's aircraft the easier it will be for all of us to work together in
the future.
However, when these Airmen aren't opening the ramp and doors to the
public morning to evening, they are training or transporting.
"Normally we use the 'Herc' for air drops and passenger and cargo
transport -- we can fly over marked landing zones and offload the troops
in the back or the cargo," said Capt. Lindsey Kinsinger, 37th AS pilot.
"This is an amazing machine. I love flying it because it is so
functional and I'm able to employ its tactical-airlift capabilities at
moment's notice."
In addition to training drops, C-130Js from Ramstein have been known to
show up in other public events and real-world missions like Operation
Market Garden, D-Day re-enactments, airfield-seizure exercises and it
has even converted into a mobile emergency room for potential
evacuations from hazardous areas.
"This is such a versatile machine," said Kinsinger. "Today we are doing
the air show, but next week we could be working with another country's
paratroopers, working together and them jumping out of the plane with
our guys; you never know what the next week or even month holds."
The 37th AS is part of the 86th Airlift Wing, the host wing at Ramstein
AB, Germany. Ramstein is assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and is a
North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation.
The mission of the 86th AW is to provide combat airlift and operate the
Air Force's premier installation to enable and assure strategic
capabilities.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
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