13-8-2023 (JAKARTA) The Indonesian Air Force is set to receive the third unit of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from the Defense Ministry on Tuesday, August 15. The aircraft arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on Wednesday, August 9, after being flown from the Lockheed Martin factory in Georgia, United States, on Thursday, August 3.
Air commodore Agung Sasongkojati, the Head of the Air Force’s Information Service, confirmed that the official handover of the aircraft with the registration number A-1343 will take place on Tuesday. The delivery flight of the aircraft involved two Indonesian Air Force pilots, major Aleg Chandra and captain Jatmiko Adi, along with a loadmaster, captain Rico Aradea Putra. They were accompanied by two pilots and two loadmasters from Lockheed Martin.
Upon its arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, the third C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft was welcomed with a water salute by the ground operator. Defense Ministry and Air Force officials were also present to greet the disembarking crews, draping them with batik clothing, a traditional Indonesian garment.
Indonesia has ordered a total of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin, all of which will be assigned to Squadron 31 at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta. According to Sasongkojati, the fourth and fifth units are expected to arrive in Jakarta in October 2023 and January 2024, respectively.
The Indonesian Air Force has already received two units of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, with registration numbers A-1339 and A-1340. These aircraft were handed over by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on March 6 and 8 earlier this year.
