Alaska Star - Archived Story

Story Last modified at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007

An era ends

Capt. Ryan Hendrickson looks out over the vast Alaska wilderness during the final C-130 flight for the 517th Airlift Squadron Friday. After 43 years of continuous service in Alaska, the flight marked the end of the C-130 era at the 517th AS. The C-17 will be taking over the mission soon. The C-130s have relocated to Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The flight was also significant for other reasons to Captain Hendrickson, who proposed to his girlfriend shortly after landing. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. KEITH BROWN

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA -- Master Sgt B. A. Lund, a load master, stretches his communication cord to create a "do not cross line"as he waits for the final passengers to board a 517th Airlift Squadron C-130. The flight Friday marked the end of the airlift squadron's C-130 mission here after 43 years of service. The 517th AS will soon convert to C-17s and the C-130s have been re-allocated to other bases around the Air Force. US Air Force photo by Tech Sgt Keith Brown

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Staff Sgt. Joseph Langer, 703 Aircraft Maintenance Unit, marshals the final C-130 attached to the 517th Air Lift Squadron into place for a ceremonial shut down. After 43 years of continuous service in Alaska, the ceremonial shut down of two of the three remaining C-130 stationed at Elmendorf AFB marked the end of the C-130 era at the 517th and will soon see C-17 taking over the mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Garrett Hothan

A C-130 flies over the Alaska Range during its final flight for the 517th AS. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. KEITH BROWN

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, March 29, 2007.