Optimism soars with passage of defense bill
The National Defense Authorization Act represents a step forward in the quest to upgrade the fleet at the 139th Airlift Wing.
The final version of the bill, which cleared the House and Senate just before Christmas, funds two C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard. The legislation also contains provisions to increase training opportunities for C-130J crews at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, where the 139th is based.
The C-130J model is a more modern version of the C-130 Hercules, a workhorse of the Air Guard’s tactical airlift mission. The J model brings modern advantages, including lower operational costs, increased speed and climbing ability, and the capacity to land and take off with more limited runway space.
At times, the Air Guard in St. Joseph has walked a fine line of talking up the newer planes without disparaging the existing fleet. This is understandable because the C-130 has proven quite effective and local hopes have been dashed in previous efforts to land the J model.
In 2023, the government awarded the J models to Guard units in Connecticut, Montana, Minnesota and Illinois.
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, appeared to temper expectations following passage of the defense bill. This legislation provides funding for two J models but doesn’t specify where the aircraft will go. The Air National Guard will initiate a basing process once the funding is appropriated.
On the simulator language, the bill directs the Secretary of the Air Force to brief the House Armed Services Committee by March 1 on plans to expand and integrate virtual and simulator-based training for C-130J crews.
While there are no guarantees, the 139th finds itself in a strong position. Graves’ office tells News-Press Now that the unit has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a C-130J simulator in St. Joseph.
We have to believe that at some point the hard work pays off. Graves, a Tarkio Republican, and U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, are effective advocates for the Air Guard. State and local government have supported important upgrades at Rosecrans – including a new tower and a proposed maintenance facility that could accommodate the J model.
And the 139th continues to execute its global mission from St. Joseph. In the ongoing effort to land the C130-J, that’s the biggest selling point of all.
