The first of four C-130J Super Hercules for the Qatar Emiri Air Force was flown for the first time from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia, on 8 June 2011. A joint company-Qatari aircrew consisting of P.R. Helm, Chuck Nelson, Scott DeMarco, Brigadier General Al-Assiri, Colonel Al-Mohannadi, and Major Al-Mannai, put the aircraft through its paces during the flight. In addition to the aircraft, which are the longer-fuselage version of the C-130J, and spares, Qatar will receive training for aircrew members and maintenance technicians. The contract also calls for Qatar to receive ground support and test equipment, servicing carts, and cargo pallets. A team of company technical specialists will be based in Qatar during an initial support period.
