By Kristin M. Smith
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
In a move that will make the C-130 program more efficient and responsive to customer needs, all 106 C-130 aircraft in the Navy-Marine Corps inventory came under full control of the Support/Commercial Derivitive Capital Office Program Manager Air-207 on Oct. 1.
The C-130 Program was formerly controlled by two programs. PMA-207 handled the acquisition side of the program from Naval Air Station Patuxent River and PMA-226 managed the in-service issues from Naval Aviation Depot Cherry Point, N.C.
The realignment marks the first time that a single PMA will have full life cycle management or "cradle to grave" control of all Department of the Navy C-130 aircraft. "This means responsibility and accountability... for both in-production and in-service support aircraft," said Dan Wagner, who served as assistant program manager for logistics with PMA-226 until Oct. 1.
"This is a win-win-win situation for the C-130 Program, Pax River and Cherry Point," remarked Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Sagaser, deputy program manager for the C-130 Program. "The C-130 Program will be more effective, Pax River will be able to serve the entire program's needs from a single point, and Cherry Point will remain the center of C-130 technical excellence," he remarked. "Ultimately, we will better serve fleet users which is the whole reason for our existence," Sagaser added.
"The transition will provide one-stop shopping for all Navy and Marine Corps C-130 aircraft," said Navy Capt. Jack W. McCorkle, Jr., program manager for PMA-207.
Full life cycle management of the C-130 aircraft puts the program more in-line with acquisition reform principles. "By combining the program under one PMA, we are increasing efficiency. The fact that it' s PMA-207 means we are exposing the C-130 to a strong commercial environment that will allow us to utilize more commercial practices in this traditionally organic program," said Sagaser.
The C-130 Program consists of 106 aircraft including 20 C-130's, 79 KC-130's, 6 LC-130's and 1 TC-130. Model years of the aircraft range from 1961-1998, making it one of the longest in-production programs in aviation history, according to Paul Fitzgerald, Systems Engineering Deputy for the C-130 Class Desk.
PMA-207, with the addition of the C-130 aircraft, controls 746 aircraft. PMA-207 stood up on June 26, 1997 to take over functions previously managed by disestablished PMA's 200 and 227. PMA-207 also manages the T-34C and T-44A; C-9, C-12, C-20 and C-26; TH-57; TH6-B; CT-39; and, the C-130 family of aircraft.
Last updated: 10.2.97