FRCE secures future Hercules workload
The Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) at MCAS Cherry Point (NC) will take on maintenance, repair and overhaul duties for the US Navy and USMC KC/C-130J Super Hercules and KC/C-130T Hercules tanker and transport aircraft.
On 17 March 2023, US Navy officials announced that the FRCE will serve as the designated repair point for the Hercules. The depot could begin the new workload as soon as the end of fiscal year 2026.
Once the Hercules/Super Hercules programme is fully operational at the FRCE, work on the tanker/transporter is planned to provide the depot with an estimated 250,000-plus labour hours, translating into approximately 200 full-time positions. Next to the Hercules/Super Hercules, the FRCE also recently secured designation as the depot source of repair for the USAF HH-60W Jolly Green II and more than 80 components of the USAF MH-139A Grey Wolf.
In 2020, Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group (MADG) was contracted by the US government to provide support to the USMC’s fleet of 66 KC-130Js under a ten-year multi-million-dollar deal. The Fleet Readiness Center East will slowly take over that contract.
Photo by USMC Cpl. Adam Henke