Second Skytruck for Kenya

On 26 June 2021, former 309th AMARG resident C-145A 10-0321 (construction number AJE003-21) destined for the Kenyan Air Force (KAF) arrived at Antwerp (Belgium). After a night stop, the PZL M28 Skytruck departed with call sign DAGGR77 to Split (Croatia).

Kenya had requested the US for the supply of six C-145As from the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme, but due to the limited number of aircraft available, only three were authorised for supply to Kenya under the EDA process on 15 August 2016.

The aircraft were officially acquired following signature of the Kenya United States Liaison Office (KUSLO) agreement by the two governments on 4 April 2017. KAF pilots and loadmasters were trained on the type since September 2019 with US Air Force Special Operations Command’s 492nd Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field (FL).

The first Skytruck, serial 08-0310 (c/n AJE003-10)  was also delivered via Antwerp. It arrived on 27 January 2021 and departed the next day to Valtursko Polje (Croatia). On 20 April 2021, the M28 was formally commissioned with serial 2001 by the air force at Moi Air Base, Eastleigh (Kenya).

Photo by Frederik Vermeersch