The Kenya Air Force (KAF) Wednesday commissioned the newly acquired C-145 Skytruck aircraft.
This is a boost to the service that is currently rushing to upgrade its arsenal to match the demands.
The type can perform varied roles such as precision combat airdrop, combat search-and-rescue, humanitarian assistance, casualty evacuation and disaster relief missions.
Commander Kenya Air Force (KAF) Major General Francis Ogolla presided over the event at Moi Air Base (MAB), Eastleigh.
The C-145 Skytruck which is intended to phase out the Y-12 aircraft was acquired through Excess Defence Article (EDA) after the signing of the Kenya United States Liason Office (KUSLO) agreement by the two Governments in April 2017.
Maj Gen Ogolla expressed gratitude to the US government for the acquisition that will go a long way in enhancing the mission readiness of the Kenya Air Force.
“It is a great day today as we introduce the C-145 Skytruck Aircraft(KAF 2001). This aircraft will not be in the service for display but to enhance the capability of our air support to our sister Services,” said Maj Gen Ogolla.
C-145 Skytruck Aircraft is a variant M28 with a capacity of 19.
The C-145 is more modified with a stronger engine, it has a short take-off and landing capability, picks height faster and has a bigger cargo capacity.
The aircraft is a multi-purpose aircraft, that can be used for VIP and passenger transportation, cargo transportation, paradrop, insertion as well as casualty evacuation.
The US Defence Air Attachee to Kenya Major Matthew Yan thanked Kenya for the mutual cooperation and assured of continued support from the US Government.
He summed up the acquisition of the aircraft using a common Swahili phrase ‘haba na haba hujaza kibaba’.
In August 2016 the United States allocated three surplus C-145As to Kenya after it had requested six under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme.
According to reports, in September 2019, Kenya Air Force pilots and loadmasters were sent to Hulburt Field, Florida to be trained by airmen from the US Air Force’s 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and 492d Special Operations Wing.
The C-145 Skytruck aircraft is usually operated by the USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC), they’re primarily used to assist Aviation Foreign Internal Defence (AvFID).
In 2015, AFSOC retired eleven C-145As, donating two to the Estonian Air Force in 2019, three to Kenya, Costa Rica and Nepal receiving two aircraft each.
At least five aircraft are still in service of the AFSOC for CAA aircrew training.
The aircraft will support and complement the three newly acquired C-27J Spartan tactical aircraft acquired by Kenya.
According to reports, the C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft were acquired for Sh20 billion from an Italian aircraft manufacturer.
Kenya Air Force needs an aircraft to replace the four DHC-5 Buffalos currently in its inventory which were acquired more than 30 years ago.
The Kenyan Air Force also possess eleven new Chinese-made Harbin Y-12 transport planes and about three Canadian built Bombardier Dash 8.
