MUSEUM NEWS 

06 SEPTEMBER 2005

In it's last days with the 36th TAS at McChord AFB, C-130E 63-7767 was one a number of desert camouflage Hercules' in Air Force inventory in the early 80's.

In early September, the McChord Museum received some long awaited news about.  After months of waiting the McChord Air Museum received some good news - - and some bad news. In early September, Museum officials were informed that it’s request for an C-130E had been accepted, even better, it was to be a aircraft that served with McChord’s 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron (S/N 63-7767) from March 1977 to October 1981. While at McChord # 767 was painted in Desert Camouflage during the Iran Hostage Crisis and during the early 1980's left McChord for Little Rock AFB during the consolidation of all USAF Desert Camouflaged C-130's. Crews nicknamed the aircraft “The Ayatollah Express”. 

The aircraft still based at Little Rock AFB, has been grounded at the base since 2 February 2005. On 10 February 2005 Air Mobility Command  officials announced that the Air Force would be grounding 30 “E” model C-130’s while placing another 60 various models of the C-130 on flight restrictions because of center wing box issues. In late 2005 a moratorium has been placed on all flyable airlift assets, including # 767, prohibiting their movement out of the USAF inventory including potential movements to museums. Please return to this page for updates on 767’s return to McChord.