C-130 ANG/Reserve Question
 

Any C-130 guard/reserve pilots out there?

I'm currently flying hercs on active duty with 3 years left on my commitment. I have 1 assignment left and am considering going to instruct UPT for the hours and to get away from the deployments. I am worried that I may screw myself on getting picked up by a guard unit since I will no longer be qualified in the C-130 after a white jet tour. Will any units hire me and send me to requal??? What are my chances of getting picked up after 3 years away from the herc??? Thanks for any responses. :D

Herc,

I'm not a 130 guy but I've talked to a few Guard units and I think you would have a pretty good shot. Especially since you fly 130s. There are C-130s units in almost every state it seems. If there is one near your home town I would go to them first (provided you dont mind living there). My experience has been that Guard units like to hire hometown guys and although you would have to be requal'd you are still an experienced 130 guy that would be back up to speed qucikly...opposed to a guy brand new to the airplane. Basically, go talk to some units and ask them. Of course they would rather get someone who was current and qualified but I know a lot of units hire guys who are not...

Good luck

Herc, may I call you Herc?

The link below will send you to a pdf listing the Guard and Reserve units (as of 2004). I'm not aware of any C-130 units that have transitioned to different A/C. I'm not a pilot (or military) but perhaps it might help your research. For fun and games, you might check out units that interest you to see where they stand for pilot requirements.

Good luck.

http://www.afa.org/magazine/May2004/0504airreserve.pdf

I am in a C130 squadron in Illinois and we just picked up a guy off of active duty who recently completed a white jet tour. He had been out of the herk for 3 years. We got him back up to speed in house. He is now flying for a civilian major and flying for us part-time. Hope this helps. JG

Why limit yourself? There are tons of tanker units hiring also. Seems to me that you'll set yourself up well to get an USAFR job flying white jets as well. Start networing with the USAFR leadership and line guys when you get to your base.

jlg,
Good info on that! I really enjoyed flying the Peoria H3's out in the desert. You guys have beautiful hercs!! Glad to see how well the guard takes care of their planes.