from FlightGlobal:

First C-27J for JCA contract makes first flight
By Stephen Trimble

One week after a shake-up, L-3 Communications and Alenia Aeronautica today announced completing the maiden flight for the first C-27J produced for the US Army/US Air Force combined order for 78 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA).

The first flight milestone comes more than three months before the first aircraft C-27J is scheduled to be delivered to the army. The army awarded the contract to the C-27J team last October, overcoming a failed protest by the losing Raytheon/EADS North America C-295 team.

©Alenia Aeronautica

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...st-flight.html
finally, a sherpa (??) replacement. it's amazing the AF didn't get these sooner either...