910th Airlift Wing Upgrades to New C-130J-30 Super Hercules
VIENNA, Ohio — The 910th Airlift Wing will receive the first of its new fleet of C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft at an event on Tuesday, July 16, at 3 p.m. The event will feature a flyover by the C-130J, marking the conclusion of its maiden voyage from the production plant in Marietta, Georgia, to Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS).
Attendees will include representatives from the 22nd Air Force, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the 910th Airlift Wing, and federal, state, and local community partners. After the flyover, the aircraft will land, taxi to the ceremony location, and the aircrew will deplane.
The event will continue with a brief military ceremony and remarks from Maj. Gen. Melissa Coburn, commander of the 22nd Air Force, and Col. Mike Maloney, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing.
In December 2022, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall selected YARS as the preferred location to replace its eight C-130H aircraft with eight C-130Js. This decision followed a site survey assessing mission factors, infrastructure capacity, community support, environmental considerations, and cost.
The Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission estimates the new C-130Js are valued at approximately $109.75 million per aircraft, totaling about $878 million for the 910th, YARS, and the Mahoning Valley.
The 910th Airlift Wing, which received its first C-130 in 1981, has operated various C-130 models for over 40 years. The current fleet of C-130H aircraft, dating from 1989 to 1992, has been in service since the unit received its Airlift Wing designation in 1994.
Since 1992, the 910th has also maintained the Department of Defense’s only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray capability to eliminate disease-carrying insects and pests.
“The 910th Airlift Wing’s tactical airlift and aerial spray missions require a capable, reliable and adaptable airframe. Our C-130H Hercules aircraft have provided that for decades,” said Col. Mike Maloney, 910th Airlift Wing commander. “As we retire them from service at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, we look forward to continuing their track record of success with a fleet of new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.”
The C-130J reduces manpower requirements, lowers operating and support costs, and provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier models. It can climb faster and higher, fly farther at a higher cruise speed, and take off and land in a shorter distance.
This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the C-130 airframe’s first flight.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
