Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s air department has the unique responsibility of operating three UC-12M (C-12) Huron aircraft which serve as valuable assets to maritime security operations, particularly logistics support, in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR).

The C-12 is a medium sized, twin-turboprop airplane capable of transporting seven passengers or 1500 pounds of cargo up to 1,100 miles in one flight. The mission of the C-12 Huron is to provide high-priority, short notice transportation of cargo and personnel around the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

Each of the three aircraft that NSA Bahrain has custody of require an Aircraft Conditional Inspection (ACI) every five calendar years. The inspection involves the entire aircraft, along with any required upgrades. Vertex Aerospace conducts the inspection and upgrades at their facility in San Angelo, Texas. Before Vertex Aerospace starts the ACI procedure, the plane is flown from Bahrain to Texas.

The hand-selected crew of two pilots, one aircrewman and a Vertex Aerospace aircraft mechanic began planning months in advanced for this unique and challenging flight.  

“Thankfully, with the outstanding support of the Bahrain-based maintenance crew, proper planning, and a bit of luck with the weather, the entire trip ran smoothly and was a very enjoyable experience for the crew overall,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew “Cone” Pillon, one the aircraft pilots.

The crew departed Bahrain International Airport Feb. 15. The trip totaled 11 days “on the road” with 14 stops in 10 different countries including Jordan, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the United States.

“Flying this size aircraft across the northern Atlantic in the middle of winter is no small feat. With headwinds reaching 140 knots at times, four plus hours over water... and temperatures on the ground as low as minus ten degrees Celsius, it is up the expertise of the pilots to ensure all safety measures and contingencies are in place if any emergency were to arise. With that said, when all goes well, a trip like this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the crew,” added Pillon.

The other crew members included Lt. Jeremy Swain, Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical 1st Class Petty Officer Richard Gaskell, and Mr. Jonathan Schreiber.

Within the next 18 months, this trip will be made five more times to pick up and drop off the remaining aircraft as they become due for the depot level ACI inspection.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s air department has the unique responsibility of operating three UC-12M (C-12) Huron aircraft which serve as valuable assets to maritime security operations, particularly logistics support, in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR).

The C-12 is a medium sized, twin-turboprop airplane capable of transporting seven passengers or 1500 pounds of cargo up to 1,100 miles in one flight. The mission of the C-12 Huron is to provide high-priority, short notice transportation of cargo and personnel around the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

Each of the three aircraft that NSA Bahrain has custody of require an Aircraft Conditional Inspection (ACI) every five calendar years. The inspection involves the entire aircraft, along with any required upgrades. Vertex Aerospace conducts the inspection and upgrades at their facility in San Angelo, Texas. Before Vertex Aerospace starts the ACI procedure, the plane is flown from Bahrain to Texas.

The hand-selected crew of two pilots, one aircrewman and a Vertex Aerospace aircraft mechanic began planning months in advanced for this unique and challenging flight.  

 “Thankfully, with the outstanding support of the Bahrain-based maintenance crew, proper planning, and a bit of luck with the weather, the entire trip ran smoothly and was a very enjoyable experience for the crew overall,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew “Cone” Pillon, one the aircraft pilots.

The crew departed Bahrain International Airport Feb. 15. The trip totaled 11 days “on the road” with 14 stops in 10 different countries including Jordan, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the United States.

“Flying this size aircraft across the northern Atlantic in the middle of winter is no small feat. With headwinds reaching 140 knots at times, four plus hours over water... and temperatures on the ground as low as minus ten degrees Celsius, it is up the expertise of the pilots to ensure all safety measures and contingencies are in place if any emergency were to arise. With that said, when all goes well, a trip like this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the crew,” added Pillon.

The other crew members included Lt. Jeremy Swain, Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical 1st Class Petty Officer Richard Gaskell, and Mr. Jonathan Schreiber.

Within the next 18 months, this trip will be made five more times to pick up and drop off the remaining aircraft as they become due for the depot level ACI inspection.v

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