Four additional Air National Guard locations will receive the C-130J
On 18 September 2023, the USAF selected four additional Air National Guard (ANG) Airlift Wings as the preferred locations to receive the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to replace their legacy C-130Hs.
On 30 November 2020, Scramble Magazine first wrote about the future basing of new ANG C-130Js and its controversy. As expected, Montana ANG's 120th Airlift Wing will eventually get the Super Hercules.
Eight (for each unit) C-130J transporters will be used to recapitalise the C-130H legacy fleet with the:
118th Airlift Squadron/ 103rd Airlift Wing at Bradley ANGB near Hartford (CT), 186th Airlift Squadron/ 120th Airlift Wing at Great Falls ANGB (MT), 109th Airlift Squadron/ 133rd Airlift Wing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MN) and 169th Airlift Squadron/ 182nd Airlift Wing at Peoria ANGB (IL).
In due time, the Air National Guard will examine each above mentioned individual unit receiving the Super Hercules to assess when they can begin to receive the new platform. Also, with no problems or restrictions expected, the USAF will conduct an environmental impact analysis at each location, expected to be completed in fiscal year 2025 before a final decision will be made.
During mid-March 2022, Lockheed Martin's 500th built Super Hercules was delivered to the Air National Guard.
Credit photo: USAF