Ambassador Bede Corry, who was appointed to his current role in 2022, was at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta site on Jan. 29 during a visit to Atlanta. 

Lockheed Martin’s New Zealand ties date back to the 1940s and the RNZAF is a longtime operator of the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter, receiving its fleet of five C-130Hs beginning in 1965. RNZAF crews have flown these workhorses in support of critical national and regional tactical airlift missions.

The New Zealand government announced its acquisition of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules airlifters in 2020 through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the U.S. government. These new Super Hercs will support the RNZAF in continuing its tactical airlift missions while providing more power, space, integration, capability and continued interoperability with global partners that include 26 operators in 22 nations. 

 

During his visit, Ambassador Corry learned more about Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ current business commitments, with particular insights into the C-130J Super Hercules program.

Then he saw the mighty Super Hercules for himself, with a tour of the C-130J production line. Ambassador Corry put his mark on New Zealand and Super Herc history by signing a bulkhead of one of the RNZAF’s new Super Hercs.

The visit was completed with a trip to the Super Hercules flightline. There, Ambassador Corry became one of the very first New Zealanders to see the RNZAF’s inaugural C-130J-30.

Not only did Ambassador Corry get to see New Zealand’s first C-130J-30, but he also had the opportunity to tour the Super Hercules as well.

“Hosting Ambassador Corry at our Marietta site is an honor and provides us an opportunity to showcase our world-class production operations, teammates and Super Hercules airlifters,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business and the Marietta site. “Royal New Zealand Air Force crews continually demonstrate all of the many attributes that distinguish the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter — proven to be versatile, interoperable, rugged. New Zealand’s new Super Hercules fleet ensures the C-130 will continue to serve the RNZAF for many more decades, while delivering advanced capabilities and increased power in a critical operating environment.”

 

During its service, the RNZAF’s fleet of five C-130Hs have literally gone everywhere to support just about every — and any ― mission requirements, which include:

• Providing hope and help to nearby island nations impacted by earthquakes, cyclones, typhoons and floods.
• Supporting military operations with partner nations.
• Flying annual missions to Antarctica, which is one of the most taxing and challenging missions for any aircraft to support.

New Zealand will receive its new C-130J-30 fleet in 2024.

Learn more about the RNZAF’s new Super Herc fleet on the New Zealand Defence Force website.