CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The 130th Airlift Wing at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base will convert to the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, Acting Air Force Secretary John P. Roth announced May 19.
The 130th Airlift Wing will begin its conversion process from the legacy C-130H models to the newer C-130J model aircraft.
“Today’s announcement is incredibly exciting for the men and women of the 130th Airlift Wing as they move forward with this conversion,” West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said. “Our National Guard is second to none, and these great Airmen will do a wonderful job with this conversion process. I thank them for all their hard work in preparing to get to this important milestone.”
Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Crane, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, said Guard members “have been working nonstop since the announcement of being selected as a preferred alternative back in November, and now we can put our plans into action to begin training and preparing to receive the new C-130Js.”
"We look forward to celebrating the next chapter in the West Virginia Air National Guard’s history," Crane said.
Col. Patrick Chard, vice wing commander of the 130th Airlift Wing, said the wing's Airmen are “ready to enter conversion to the new J-model and look forward to this exciting new chapter in our unit’s long and distinguished history.”
The 130th Airlift Wing operates eight C-130H3 Hercules model aircraft, which are more than 25 years old. The planes will be sent to other states with a C-130 mission at a rate of approximately two to three aircraft departing per month.
“The 130th Airlift Wing expects to receive its first C-130J model aircraft later this summer and we look forward to celebrating this tremendous honor,” Crane said.