In recent years, the Navy has called for Navy leadership across the fleet to “Get Real, Get Better” (GRGB). This call to action encourages Navy leaders to improve readiness with a foundation of honest self assessment, embracing problem areas as opportunities and constantly seeking ways to innovate and improve.
Shortly after beginning his tour as Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) in 2022, Rear Adm. Brad Dunham recognized a gap between the fleet’s needs for Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) support and what the Navy Reserve’s Fleet Logistics Support Wing (FLSW) was able to provide. He called upon FLSW leadership to evaluate how they could maximize C-130 readiness to close the gap.
In the less than two years since working toward expanding FLSW’s readiness to provide mission-critical logistics support around the globe, FLSW has delivered record C-130T readiness. The wing increased mission capable aircraft from an average of six aircraft in January 2022 to a peak output of 16 aircraft in June 2024, an unmatched Type/Model/Series improvement across the Naval Aviation Enterprise.
“We recognized in January of 2022 that the average of six mission-capable C-130Ts was missing the mark, and our phenomenal team of professionals dug in to make a tangible change,” said FLSW Commodore Capt. J.T. Ward. “We joined the Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Maintenance Operation Center (MOC) to streamline maintenance processes. We adopted best practices from civilian counterparts and the United States Air Force to improve sustainment. We established processes to remove administrative barriers up and down the chain of command. Combined, these changes resulted in the highest performance outcomes in the history of the Navy C-130T legacy program, evidenced by today’s mission capable rates.”
Dunham expressed his pride in FLSW’s hard work that not only resolved the issue but achieved record-breaking success.
"FLSW leadership approached C-130 readiness with a laser focus on performance improvement to bring 'Get Real, Get Better' tenets to the forefront," said Rear Adm. Brad Dunham. "The unprecedented success of these efforts and their impact to the fleet illustrate the Naval Air Force Reserve's commitment to current readiness and developing future warfighting advantages."
The increased availability of mission-capable C-130T aircraft has greatly enabled increased global NUFEA mission execution. Since January 2022, the wing has provided more than 50,000 mishap-free flight hours and delivered more than 200,000 passengers and 40 million pounds of cargo in support of Navy units operating around the globe.
FLSW is a Navy Reserve air wing with 11 squadrons flying the K/C-130T Hercules and C-40A Clipper. FLSW and the Navy Reserve’s Naval Aviation Logistics Office work together as the Navy’s sole organic intra-theater airlift capability operating worldwide.