As previously reported by Zona Militar, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, which belonged to the United States Air Force, arrived at Latacunga Air Base (Ecuador) to be incorporated into the Ecuadorian Air Force.
The aircraft, registered as FAE 898, was delivered by the United States government as part of the donation announced weeks ago by the head of the U.S. Southern Command, General Laura Richardson. It is a C-130H that previously belonged to the United States Air Force (USAF) under registration USAF 74-1689, and to the Afghan Air Force with the identifier 1689 since January 2012.
The Ecuadorian Air Force has operated 3 C-130Hs, 4 C-130Bs, and one L-100-30 Hercules for over 40 years, assigned to the 11th Transport Wing at Cotopaxi Air Base. The newly incorporated unit will join the 11th Transport Wing, which currently operates a single Hercules L-100-30.
It is worth noting that due to the siege of narcocriminal organizations on Ecuador’s internal security, the U.S. government will disburse a total of USD 93.4 million to strengthen security and defense capabilities, to be disbursed over a period of five years.
*Image credits: Ecuadorian Air Force.
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