Previous article on C-130 subject.

[slugshooter]

Budget ax doesn't dim hope for planes

By Henry Cuningham

Military editor

The Air Force has grounded almost half of Pope Air Force Base's aging C-130 airplanes, and congressional officials say they will fight to fund the replacement aircraft that President Bush does not want.

''Fourteen of the 31 C-130E aircraft at Pope Air Force Base are currently grounded,'' Col. Darren W. McDew, 43rd Airlift Wing commander, said Monday.

The four-propeller C-130 Hercules specializes in landing on short, bare runways. Pope ''Herks'' fly missions varying from airdropping Fort Bragg paratroopers on training exercises to hauling cargo around the Persian Gulf.

''Wake up and smell the jet fuel,'' said Rep. Robin Hayes, a Concord Republican. ''We've got to replace this aging equipment.''

The Pope airplanes are among 30 that were grounded Thursday by the Air Mobility Command, Pope's higher headquarters at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The C-130 System Program Office at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia recommended the grounding after inspections of the ''center wing box structure,'' the area where the wings are fitted to the fuselage.

''Such a precaution ensures the safety and well-being of our equipment and, most importantly, our airmen,'' McDew said.

Seven Pope aircraft are on ''restricted status,'' McDew said. Those are among 60 throughout the Air Mobility Command.

''This will minimize the mechanical stresses on these aircraft and any related risks to safety,'' he said. ''Restricted aircraft can still be used for aircrew training and proficiency flying including limited low-level and airdrop. They may also be used to transport some small cargo and/or passenger load.''

Plans called for the Vietnam-era E model airplanes to be replaced at Pope in coming years by the J model.

But the president made public a 2006 budget proposal on Feb. 7 saying that the Defense Department had ''terminated some programs whose cost-effectiveness no longer warrants their continuation, such as the C-130J and the Joint Common Missile.''

Doug Karas, an Air Force spokesman at the Pentagon, said several studies of military transportation requirements are being conducted.

''There are too many juries still out right now,'' Karas said.

Congressional backing

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a North Carolina Republican on the Armed Services Committee, said she supports the replacement aircraft.

''I'm confident that funding for the C-130J will be restored in light of the recent safety groudings of some of our old E and H models,'' she said.

Sen. Richard Burr, North Carolina's newly elected Republican senator, plans to come to Pope Air Force Base on Feb. 25 to discuss a variety of issues, said Doug Heye, a spokesman.

''It's certainly something he is aware of,'' Heye said.

Rep. Mike McIntrye, a Democrat from Lumberton, also pledged to support the C-130J.

''These planes are vital to strategic airlift at Pope Air Force Base,'' McIntyre said. ''The C-130J is a critical component in the fight for freedom and security. In my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I will diligently work with my colleagues to do all we can to fully fund this important transport aircraft.''

McIntyre is a member of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

Hayes, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he will strongly support funding for the C-130J.

''That's like asking me if I'm going to keep on breathing,'' Hayes said. ''Of course I am going to fight for the J model.''

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the Air Force added the C-17 Galaxy cargo jet and retired most of its C-141 Starlifters. The C-17 was supposed to have the C-141's ability to haul large loads for long distances and the C-130's ability to land on short runways.

The C-17 ''can do many of the things the C-130 has been doing all these years,'' said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Springer of Pinehurst. ''It's too expensive for the short-haul stuff.''

Hayes said, ''If you got a pickup, do you want to start driving an 18-wheeler? You can't turn a C-17 around in your back yard.''

Rep. Bob Etheridge ''will work in a bipartisan manner with his colleagues to restore the funding and protect Pope Air Force Base,'' said Sara Lang, his press secretary.

McDew said he believes a long-term solution will be found.

''Pope Air Force Base has proven to be a vital combat airlift wing within the Air Force,'' McDew said. ''I can't see that changing,'' he said.

[robk]

Re: Previous article on C-130 subject.

interesting reading i hope they do get htis problem settled and quick we have guys and gals in iraq and afghanistan that need thosae birds flying. if the commander in chief doesn't want the j's then he better get the E's up and runnin. the c130 is a very important machine to have in all venues of war and it is like the b-52 it may be an old war bird but she cans till do the job. i am hoping they get the thign settled and quick

rob k