US gifts ex-908th AW C-130H-2 to Romania

The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) has received an ex-USAF C-130H-2 Hercules (91-9142) which was gifted to the nation via the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme.

The USAF has donated C-130H-2 Hercules (91-9142) to the RoAF through the US Excess Defense Articles program. This aircraft was formerly operated by the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and is the first of two ex-USAF airframes that will join the RoAF’s ranks this year. RoAF

This programme enables the US to transfer excess military equipment to allied and partner nations at little or no cost. The new aircraft arrived at Bucharest Băneasa-Aurel Vlaicu International Airport in Bucharest, Romania, on September 15. From September 17-29, it was used by a US Mobile Training Team to train the Romanian air/ground crews at the RoAF’s 90th Airlift Base to familiarise them with the new onboard equipment.

The new aircraft will join the RoAF’s existing legacy Hercules fleet, which is operated by Escadrila 901 Aviatie Transport Strategic (901 Strategic Transport Aviation Squadron) at the 90th Airlift Base. Aside from this latest delivery, the fleet already comprises four ex-USAF C-130Bs – 5927 (ex 59-0527); 5930 (ex 59-0530); 6150 (ex 61-0950) and 6166 (ex 61-0966) – and two C-130Hs, one of which was formerly operated by the Italian Air Force – 6191 (ex MM61991) – while the other is another ex-USAF airframe – 7432 (ex 74-2132). A second ex-USAF C-130H-2 is expected to be delivered to Romania before the end of this year.