Qatar makes RIAT debut
The Qatar Emiri Air Force will send for the show’s static display a C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft, one of four such aircraft delivered to the small but strategically and economically-important Arab state by manufacturer Lockheed Martin in 2011-12 – becoming the first Middle Eastern customer for the C-130J model.
Based at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, the country’s capital, the C-130J-30s – the stretched version of the so-called Super Hercules – and four Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs, have provided Qatar with a much-improved air transport capability, for use on both military airlift and humanitarian tasks.
The Qatari aircraft joins the legendary Vulcan bomber and Swiss Air Force aircraft on the list of early confirmed participants for this summer’s Air Tattoo on 17-19 July and brings to 55, the number of nations that have taken part in the airshow since it was first staged in 1971.
Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “Our thanks go to the Qatar Emiri Air Force for agreeing to participate in this year’s Air Tattoo. I’m particularly pleased that new nations continue to be added to the long list of those that have supported the event over the years. We look forward to welcoming the C-130 and its crew to Fairford in July.”
