Indonesia receives first new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft

 

The new C-130J Super Hercules for TNI-AU ipon arrival in Jakarta on 06 March 2023. Photo c/o Detik News.

The first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft ordered by the Indonesian Ministry of Defence for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) arrived in Jakarta on 06 March 2023.

The aircraft, with tail number A-1339 arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, and was given a traditional water salute upon arrival. 

TNI-AU Deputy Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshall Marsdya Agustinus Gustaf Brugman was also present and lead the arrival ceremonies.

The new aircraft was flown by two pilots from the Indonesian Air Force namely Lt. Col. Pnb Anjoe Manik and Lt. Col. Alfonsus, accompanied by other TNI-AU personnel.

The aircraft started its journey from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Marietta, Georgia on 28 February 2023, and had several technical stops along the way including in Monterey in California, Honolulu in Hawaii,  Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Guam, before finally arriving in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The aircraft is expected to be assigned with the Squadron 31 based at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta, which will see its legacy C-130H Hercules aircraft transferred to Squadron 32 based in Abdu Rachman Saleh Airbase in Malang to replace the older C-130B Hercules.

Lockheed Martin has previously confirmed that it will deliver the rest of the ordered aircraft sometime between July and October in 2023, and another aircraft by January 2024.

The TNI-AU sent a total of 48 personnel to the US including 12 pilots to train to fly and maintain the new C-130J Super Hercules.




[1] Kompas
[2] Detik News