By Request
From Captain Sim C-130E Hercules Republic of China Air Force 439th (6th) Composite Wing based at Pingtung.
On June 18, 1984, the Reagan administration of the US informed the Congress of the proposed sale of 12 C-130H to Taiwan, which was later approved by the Congress. These C-130 were to complement and eventually replace the aging C-119. Delivery commenced in December 1986. The first two C-130H (1312 and the other unspecified) arrived at Pingtung on September 22, 1986.
In the early 1990s, four additional C-130H (1313 to 1316) were ordered and they arrived in Taiwan in January 1995. A contract for four more C-130H (1317 to 1320) was signed in 1997. The "white-tail" C-130 were delivered on December 10 of the same year. Nine days later, all C-119 were decommissioned. Some passenger carrying pallets with airline-style seats were ordered with these new C-130H; so the C-130H can be easily converted for VIP transport.
Service History
In November 1985, ROCAF personnel were sent to the US for training on the C-130. On July 1, 1986, the 101st Airlift Fleet, equivalent to a Group, was established under the 439th (6th) Composite Wing at Pingtung to receive the C-130H. The 101st Airlift Fleet completed the C-130H conversion on July 1, 1987. It conducted the first airdrop attempt by the C-130H on September 9, 1993, and then, on September 21 of the same year, the 101st made the first heavy equipment drop with the C-130H. The first airdrop mission carried out by the ROCAF C-130H was onThe second unit to receive the Hercules is the 102nd Airlift Squadron, also under the 439th CW. It completed the conversion on May 31, 1995, while the 101st Airlift Fleet was downgraded to the Squadron status the next day. Both the 101st and 102nd Airlift Squadrons are subordinate to the 10th Airlift Group.
Wow, a complete introduction on the C-130 fleet in Taiwan and a gorgeous livery. Two thumbs up !
2 years ago
Josephm700