C-130H

Two C-130H aircraft will take part in an unique mission at Robins in the next several months, which will benefit the Afghan Air Force. One of the aircraft suffered major structural damage to its nose as a result of a hard landing. Once repaired at Robins, it will be one of two C-130s that will be delivered to Afghanistan in 2014. A second parked C-130H is being used as a donor aircraft to aid with repairs to the first aircraft’s damaged nose, according to Jim Russell, 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director. In an Oct. 25 “Robins Rev-Up” article, Russell said the nose swap “will be a huge structural undertaking that will require tremendous teamwork between C-130 maintainers and system program office engineers.” This upcoming nose repair will be an unscheduled depot level maintenance action, which will also require a corrosive prevention compound application, marking of Afghan symbols and a minor inspection to ensure air worthiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ed Aspera)