Last C-130E leaves Ramstein

After more than 30 years of flying for the Air Force, the last C-130E Hercules aircraft on Ramstein set forth Nov. 2 destined for a new life.

Tail No. 1299, which has been at Ramstein since 2007, departed for Poland under a Foreign Military Sales lease agreement between Air Force Materiel Command and Poland in support of our partnership and teamwork with U.S. allies.

“We are saying goodbye as it moves forward into a new era of air power,” said Master Sgt. Patrick Perry, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section chief, during a ceremony held on the flightline to commemorate the momentous event.

As part of this partnership, members of the Polish air force learned maintenance techniques on the aircraft while 86th Maintenance Group personnel performed a scheduled home station check during the week leading up to the aircraft’s departure.

This aircraft is in addition to the five C-130Es Poland is authorized to receive from the United States in an effort to help build up Poland’s airlift capability sooner and allow them to support their forces in Afghanistan. The departure of the aircraft is also part of the transition to the new, more capable and cost effective J-model C-130 aircraft, of which Ramstein will have 14. Part of the upgrade includes a new system onboard the aircraft.

“The J-model is all computerized and automated,” said Master Sgt. Jay Mitchell, 37th Airlift Squadron flight engineer. “So, they’ve done away with the flight engineer and navigator positions.”

But, this is no loss for navigators and flight engineers because it opens up other opportunities. For example, Sergeant Mitchell will be heading to Hurlburt Field, Fla., to fly on the AC-130 Gunships.

As the aircraft taxied down the runway, Team Ramstein members saluted one last time as two fire trucks sprayed an archway of water for 1299 to pass through.

“It’s a day in history we will never forget,” Sergeant Mitchell said.

“This is an awesome aircraft. The C-130 has always been the workhorse of the Air Force and will continue that way with the J-model. But to see the last C-130E leaving here … we’re sad to see it go.”

Aircraft No. 1299 is the second C-130E to go to the Polish air force; the first was delivered in March under a separate program and has flown more than 100 sorties since then.