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Baptizing of the 2 dutch short C-130s

Eindhoven AB, the Netherlands (ICAO code: EHEH)
On Friday November 19th 2010, the 2 'new' Dutch Lockheed C-130H Hercules received their official names “Bob van der Stok” (G-781) and “Willem den Toom” (G-988), after 2 Second World War pilots of the Dutch Air Force. These C-130s are now in their “Operational Test and Evaluation phase” (OT&E), after being delivered in March and July 2010 to the 336 squadron of the Dutch Air Force (“Koninklijke Luchtmacht”).
These 2 C-130’s started their operational lives as US Navy EC-130Q TACAMO ("Take Charge And Move Out") aircraft, keeping airborne contact with the submarines of the US Navy. When the Boeing E-6 Mercury aircraft replaced the C-130s, the desert storage of AMARC (Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center) near Tucson in Arizona, USA (also known as “the bone yard”) became their destination. In 2004, the Dutch Air Force bought 3 airframes from AMARC that were refurbished into 2 operational aircraft by Marshalls at Cambridge, UK. These 2 aircraft contain a full glass-cockpit with the most up-to-date electronics and a cargofloor was installed because the original TACAMO’s did not have a cargofloor.

The 2 C-130H’s fly together with 2 extended C-130H-30’s in 336 squadron, but their shorter fuselage make the C-130H’s better adapted for short take-off and landings at unprepared and dangerous sandstrips like those in Afghanistan.
The commander of the Dutch Air Force (“Commandant Luchtstrijdkrachten” or C-LSK) Lieutenant-General Jac Jansen, gave a speech about the needs for transport aircraft within the Dutch Air Force. Not only for military transportations but also for civil transportations in case of natural emergencies, like floods or earthquakes.
US Navy captain Baker was present to report on the history of these 2 aircraft, during their ‘first life’ within the US Navy in the communications role with the submarines.
After the speeches, the relatives of Willem den Toom and Bob van der Stok revealed the names of the aircraft together with LtGen Jansen.
The OT&E phase is expected to be finished early 2011 and then these 2 aircraft will be incorporated in the operational strength of the Dutch Air Force.

All photo's:
G.J.A. van Boven
H.P.A.M van Eupen
© Sentry Aviation News

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