Amidst controversy the USAF announces future basing of new Air National Guard Super Hercules aircraft
On 25 November 2020, the USAF announced that they selected Louisville ANGB (KY), McLaughlin ANGB (WV), NAS-JRB Fort Worth (TX) and Savannah ANGB (GA) as the preferred future locations to receive Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft to replace their aging C-130H legacy Hercules. This, pending the outcome of environmental assessments.
The USAF evaluated all C-130J candidate locations against objective criteria based on mission requirements. The preferred alternatives were the highest-scoring locations based on that criteria.
The bases in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Texas will begin receiving eight aircraft each in 2021. Georgia will receive new aircraft if they become available in the future.
Strikingly, Montana's Air National Guard, which is flying some of the oldest Hercules' in the world, was not included in the announcement. At this moment, highly placed officials, whom serve the state of Montana, are questioning the whole C-130J basing decision. Initially, it was thought that the C-130J was to replace the aging eight-strong (Fiscal Year 74) C-130H fleet based at Great Falls in Montana. Montana officials have stated that the US Air Force’s fleet reductions are starting to take effect. They have now asked the USAF to provide newer C-130Hs for the Montana ANG, which can be sourced from one of the units set to receive C-130Js.
The following legacy C-130H units are slated to receive the C-130J:
And not announced to be replaced:
To be continued
Photos: Stephan de Bruijn, kindly provided by www.airhistory.net and USAF