State appropriates $9.5M for Rosecrans, C-130J defense bill heads to Senate

By Cameron Montemayor

Recent developments at the state and federal levels are strengthening the outlook for potentially acquiring the coveted C-130J Super Hercules for the 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

Appropriations approved by Gov. Mike Parson will see $7.5 million designated for the design of a new aircraft maintenance hangar and $2 million to relocate the fuel farm facility at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

The future addition of an upgraded hangar serves as a major checkmark that Rosecrans Airport manager Julius Rice said brings them one step closer to potentially securing the Air Force’s primary cargo and personnel transport aircraft. Previous attempts to secure the aircraft have eluded St. Joseph.

“One of the issues with the last round was some of the maintenance facilities either were too small or out of date,” Rice said. “Just having that design will clear that as an issue or a hindrance of getting a model.”

The premiere aircraft is considered the backbone of NATO’s airlift superiority, with a fleet of more than 540 C-130Js across 70 countries. Digital avionics and a new propulsion system allow the upgraded aircraft to have enhanced range, ceiling time to climb and speed.

The Airlift Wing, which currently operates older C-130H models, is in the long-term process of relocating to the north end of the airport and base. The airport is also full speed ahead with construction of its new air traffic control tower, runway apron and terminal, significant construction projects that will modernize the airport.

“But getting those funding checkmarks taken care of and having that progress actually moving and not just waiting is definitely a big thing to be happy about,” Rice said. “The long-term outlook for Rosecrans is fantastic to be completely honest.”

The control tower is expected to be finished by late summer of 2025, while the new terminal is likely to be finished by fall of this year.

As money pours in at the state level and construction presses ahead, recent moves in Washington D.C. by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., and other House members are further boosting momentum toward acquiring the planes in St. Joseph.

An amendment by Graves to the National Defense Authorization Act to approve $220 million for two additional C-130J aircraft was passed out of the House in mid-June and was just received by the Senate on Monday, putting the legislation one step closer to potentially landing on President Joe Biden’s desk.

In a statement, Graves applauded the House passage of the bill.

“I’m thrilled to be able to include an authorization for additional C-130J’s so we can get them to the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe sooner rather than later,” he said.

Along with hangar design appropriations by the state of Missouri, additional appropriations of $2 million will allow the airport’s fuel farm and storage facility to be relocated to a more accessible area for other planes at the south end. The station is used to fill up trucks that then bring fuel directly to the aircraft.

Despite a line-item veto by the governor that reduced the original fuel farm appropriation amount from $4 million to $2 million, Rice said it won’t stand in the way of them getting started on some work with the project.

“It’ll be a state of the art with brand new tanks, brand new pumps, better than what we currently have. And we’re definitely looking forward to that,” Rice said.

Work isn’t letting up there, as Rosecrans and the 139th Airlift Wing are also eyeing construction of a new 10,000-square-foot snow removal equipment facility, an equally important aspect for the airport’s aviation complex project, which includes the new traffic control tower and terminal.

City council members on Monday authorized the application of a $3.6 million federal grant with the U.S. Defense Community Infrastructure Program to help pave way for construction of the facility if awarded. The city would partner to contribute $300,000 to the project.

The push for the grant serves as another key component for Rosecrans and 139th Airlift Wing’s long-term revitalization efforts.

“What you’re seeing now is really the culmination of several years of advocacy and effort to improve the airport, facilities and ultimately enable the 139th to relocate to the northern portion of the base … to obtain the C-130J model and in the long run, ensure their long-term presence in St. Joseph,” City Manager Bryan Carter said.

Currently, large and expensive snow removal and de-icing equipment is stored outside year-round, making it susceptible to cycles of extreme weather in the summer and winter. Airport personnel spend a considerable amount of time during the winter clearing the planes and runways of snow and ice.

“When it does come to winter ops, we’re the ones that are clearing the runways and the taxiways and all of that stuff,” Rice said. “So if our equipment is damaged or broken down or doesn’t start because it’s too cold, that hinders the mission of the 139th as well.”

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.

While much discussion has centered around the increased military capabilities of the 139th Airlift Wing’s north end relocation, the moves are also expected to further boost its overall economic impact on St. Joseph and its long-term success.

“All of their existing facilities to the south side of the airport will be turned over to the airport, which will increase the opportunities for more tenants and more businesses, more companies to come into town,” Rice said. “So what’s good for the airport by bringing those businesses and those jobs into town is actually good for the entire economy.”

Rice emphasized that while that component is still several years down the road, it’s an exciting time to see development like that on the horizon.

“Getting these brand new buildings, having the brand new runway that we just finished up earlier this year, it’s an exciting time for the airport, an exciting time for St. Joe,” he said.