Franco-German C-130 unit

[Dawes]

And I thought the A400M was supposed to be the future airlifter...

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/franco-german-c-130-air-transport-squadron-on-track-for-september-ioc

[BansheeOne]

It was recognized early on that the A400M is too big for some missions requiring use of small airfields, particularly in support of special operations. There was some discussion how this gap would be filled after the exit of the Transall, either by helicopters or a smaller aircraft, including the C-27, C-235 or C-295. Eventually Germany and France, which had already decided on the C-130 for that part, agreed on a joint SF support squadron in 2016.

[alejandro_]

Quote

It was recognized early on that the A400M is too big for some missions requiring use of small airfields, particularly in support of special operations.

Initially helicopter refuelling was also an issue, but is being solved now.

 

[BansheeOne]

First of six C-130J in Luftwaffe colors rolled out. 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Disappointed with the typeface. It needed to looks, more PRUSSIAN maybe?

There is a sad irony here, you are getting Hercules, we are getting rid of ours. Though I note the RAF are practicing with landing A400's on Pembry Beach, so seemingly somebody thinks it will for the SF community.

[alejandro_]

Quote

There is a sad irony here, you are getting Hercules, we are getting rid of ours. Though I note the RAF are practicing with landing A400's on Pembry Beach, so seemingly somebody thinks it will for the SF community.

Trend seems to be the opposite to other countries, which are going to strengthen transport aviation following covid crisis.

 

[DB]

We tend to use our transport aircraft hard, primarily because we don't buy enough of them in the first place.

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Well we usually buy three complimentary types, then get rid of one of them in a defence review when we are hard up. They did the same with the Shorts Belfast in the early 70s.

[BansheeOne]

Delivery of first German aircraft to Evreux is planned for February. The initial crews have already been trained. 

[Dawes]

Are these SF-dedicated aircraft or are they available for other missions such as disaster/humanitarian relief?

[Ssnake]

Given that until recently the primates discussed entirely disbanding the German special forces, I don't believe that at least the Bundeswehr would keep a single transport aircraft reserved for special force use. One or two machines might get prepared for special requirements, but that would probably about the limit of engagement, I suspect.

[BansheeOne]

With the limited European airlift capacities, I suspect the squadron will keep a couple aircraft on standby for SF support and evac missions, and any available beyond that will get flagged to the European Airlift Command for general use. 

[bojan]

3 hours ago, Ssnake said:

Given that until recently the primates discussed entirely disbanding the German special forces...

WTF? 😮

[urbanoid]

There were some recent scandals with them nahtzees in German SF IIRC.

[Ssnake]

Within two platoons of one of the companies, specifically.

I'm all for firing the commander and disbanding that company, but the discussion should have about ended there.

[BansheeOne]

After the Kabul evacuation it pretty much did, fortunately. 

[BansheeOne]

The French-German squadron was officially commissioned yesterday along with the first German C-130J, adding to the four already-procured French ones. Five more to follow for a total of five each C and KC.

[Dawes]

Any missions in Africa in their future?

[BansheeOne]

The way things appear to be going south in Mali, who knows?

The third C-130J has been delivered to the Luftwaffe almost a year ahead of schedule. The three KC-130J remain to be supplied until the squadron's planned FOC in 2024.

[BansheeOne]

Just saw that this squadron now seems to be officially named "Rhine". Guess it beats the historically burdened "Charlemagne". 😁

[Stuart Galbraith]

Im disappointed they didnt call it KG200, for old times sake.

[BansheeOne]

Just zapped into a docu about the unit on French-German TV station arte. Available online, though currently only in French and German. There's quite a bit (dubbed-over) English however, which is the common working language; surprising only on initial take, since that's how it is everywhere in NATO (also see the recently-established German-British amphibious engineer battalion in Minden, though it has just a single British company).

https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/107194-038-A/arte-regards/

[TrustMe]

The worst thing about non-British people speaking English is that they speak and write it better than the English themselves  

[Stuart Galbraith]

 

[R011]

"What do you mean 'This one"?"