C-130E last Grafenwoehr jump

United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Corey Long, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, relaxes before landing in Grafenwoehr, Germany, April 22, 2009. This is the final large airdrop with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team that the C-130E Hercules will make. The C-130J model will be used for jumps in the future. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss)

C-130E last Grafenwoehr jump

A fire truck from Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, Germany, stands-by as a C-130E from the 86th Airlift Wing prepares to fly members from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team to complete their quarterly training jump, April 22, 2009. The 173rd ABCT relies solely on the support of the 86th Airlift Wing to maintain their quarterly proficiency jump requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss)

C-130E's last big drop in Grafenwoehr

Members of the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team float safely the ground after jumping out of a C-130E Hercules, April 22, 2009, Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, Germany. This is the last large combat training drop for a C-130E in Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathan Lipscomb)

C-130E last Grafenwoehr drop

United States Army Spc. Joseph McGuffie, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, packs his parachute after jumping out of a C-130E Hercules, April 22, 2009, Grafenwoehr Airfield, Germany. This is the last large combat training drop for a C-130E in Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathan Lipscomb)

Grafenwoehr Jump

United States Army Pfc. Zachary Elledge, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, patiently waits until everyone is suited up for their quarterly training jump in Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, Germany, April 22, 2009. The 173rd ABCT has a proud history of service with combat jumps in Vietnam and Iraq during the first days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amber Bressler)

Grafenwoehr Jump

Members from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team board a C-130E Hercules aircraft for their quarterly training jump in Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, Germany, April 22, 2009. The 173rd ABCT has a proud history of service with combat jumps in Vietnam and Iraq during the first days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amber Bressler)

Hercules takes another step into history

Published April 28, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
Ramstein Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- After a pre-flight briefing, a ride from the 37th Airlift Squadron to the flight line, firing up four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines and a short flight from Ramstein to Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, the mighty C-130 Hercules and the 86th Airlift Wing took another step into history.

For the last time, seven C-130Es lifted off from Ramstein Air Base April 22 to complete a mission they have done for years: dropping Army equipment and paratroopers over the fields of eastern Germany to complete their quarterly jump qualifications.

But, the next time these pilots, loadmasters and paratroopers take off on this mission, they will be on a new C-130J Super Hercules.

"There is some nostalgia in flying the last C-130E Grafenwoehr mission. We've been flying this mission for a long time now," said Staff Sgt. Victor Reynosa, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "Some of these aircraft have been in the Air Force inventory for 50 years."

Throughout the day, the planes' performance lived up to their legendary reputation; dropping howitzers, humvees, and more than 450 Army paratroopers without any delays or problems.

"This training is a core competency of ours," said 173rd Airborne Brigade Jump Master Proficiency instructor, Army Sgt. 1st Class William Terry. "It is invaluable. It builds not only unit cohesion but it builds the team. We can't win this fight without each other."

When all the paratroopers had completed their required jumps and the C-130Es were refueled for the flight home to Ramstein, the crew took time to not only reflect on another successful mission but to look forward to the new C-130J.

"You kind of get used to the E-model. There's a lot of history there, but it is time to move on. The new J-model is much more capable, it is larger, faster and many of the manual things on the E-model are computerized on the J," said Sergeant Reynosa.

"We rely solely on the 37th to provide us this capability," said Army Capt. Sean Chang, 173rd Airborne Brigade air officer. "And while we appreciate the C-130E, the new aircraft will help not only the Air Force but us as well. It is larger and can carry more, which means we can move more equipment and paratroopers."

As April 22 came to a close and the seven Hercs landed back at Ramstein, members of the unit which stood up and adapted since the early 1990's face yet another adaptation--a new aircraft--but, as expressed by one of the youngest Airman on the mission, the change brings a new horizon with more history to be told.

"I think what the E-model has accomplished over the last 40 years is remarkable," said Senior Airman Ashley Hunt, 37th Airlift Squadron load master. "But I think the J-model is going to be an asset and I look forward to making history with it."