Hopes revived for C-130Js at Rosecrans

St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read
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May 24—St. Joseph's 139th Airlift Wing could receive a couple of new planes after all.

An amendment to authorize $220 million for two additional C-130J aircraft by U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, was accepted during the House Armed Services Committee's markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the congressman's office said in a statement.

The 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport currently operates older C-130H planes. Officials there had hoped to be among the bases receiving newer C-130Js, but it was announced last fall they would be going to four other Air National Guard units.

"The men and women of the 139th Airlift Wing represent some of the best America has to offer," Graves said. "They put their lives on the line to defend our great nation and play an irreplaceable role in our community. Securing new C-130J aircraft for the 139th Airlift Wing remains a top priority of mine, as these new aircraft will help them better accomplish their mission and advance the mission of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at Rosecrans, which trains C-130 pilots from across the U.S. military and our allies around the globe."

If funding for the two additional planes is appropriated, the secretary of the Air Force and the director of the Air National Guard still would decide where to base the aircraft. However, the release from Graves' office said Rosecrans likely would remain a top base for consideration as St. Joseph "barely missed" the cut for getting C-130Js last year.

A previous defense appropriations bill included $1.8 billion for guard units to switch to the C-130J, with planes ultimately going to bases in Hartford, Connecticut; Great Falls, Montana; Minneapolis; and Peoria, Illinois.

Advantages of the J model include reduced long-term operating costs and a more powerful engine that allows it to fly faster, higher and farther than the C-130H.

The Air Guard is the fourth-largest employer in St. Joseph, with an annual economic impact of $235 million when payroll, capital investment and other expenditures are factored in.