Air Force to base C-130Js in Wyoming
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- According to a story posted yesterday by the Department of the Air Force website, the military branch has selected the Wyoming Air National Guard as the next location to host C-130J airplanes.
The announcement could spell bad news for the local 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard. The 139th hosts a fleet of C-130H planes at its base at Rosecrans Airport. The release said, "A total of eight C-130J aircraft will be used to recapitalize the aging C-130H fleet, where older C-130H models will be fleet managed out of service and replaced by C-130H models from converting units."
It's unclear what impact this move will have on the 139th. Last July, Gov. Mike Kehoe approved $7.5 million to design a new aircraft maintenance hangar and $2 million to relocate the fuel farm facility at Rosecrans.
Both projects were hoped to enhance the 139th's chances of receiving the newer C-130J models.
In addition, the Air Force announced that 19 "excess" manpower positions "due to this shift will be repurposed through the Air National Guard corporate process."
The Air Force said the first fleet of eight C-130J aircraft will arrive at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne in early 2028.
Attempts to reach Missouri's 6th District Congressman Sam Graves and Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt were unsuccessful. Graves is a member of the House's Arm Services Committee while Schmitt serves on the same committee in the Senate.
