Air Force bypasses St. Joseph on new planes

Sep. 21—The 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph was not selected for an upgrade to a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

The Department of the Air Force announced last week that four other Air National Guard units will receive the new planes, meaning that the older model C-130H will remain a familiar feature in the sky above St. Joseph.

The decision was met with disappointment from officials in St. Joseph and Washington who lobbied on behalf of the 139th, which is based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Last year's defense appropriations bill included $1.8 billion for Guard units to switch to the C-130J and replace the C-130 Hercules H model that served as a workhorse for airlift missions across the globe.

"I think our time will come," said St. Joseph Community Alliance Director Tama Wagner, who played a leading role in advocating for the new aircraft. "While we're disappointed, we're going to keep up the good fight."

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he met with the director of the Air National Guard and was assured that the 139th Airlift Wing remains an important part of its mission. He noted that the Wing retains its status as the nation's premier center for advanced airlift tactics training.

"I am confident that the C-130H is mission critical, not just for natural disasters but for national security," said Schmitt, a Republican. "One of the great things we've got at Rosecrans is that it's the best place to train in the country. It's still a very, very important place for the Air National Guard. I think it's disappointing, but we're going to be undeterred."

The campaign for the J model also reflected a growing sense that what's good for the Guard unit is good for St. Joseph. The 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.

But other communities also lobbied for the planes. The next round of J models will go to the 103rd Airlift Wing in Hartford, Connecticut, the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls, Montana, the 133rd Airlift Wing in Minneapolis and the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois.

Advantages of the J model include reduced long-term operating costs and a more powerful engine that allows it to fly faster, higher and farther than the C-130H. In the past, officials from the 139th have called the J model a "big step forward" while emphasizing that the H model is capable and well-maintained. They did not comment for this story.

"The 139th will continue to do its mission and will continue to excel with its H models," said Julius Rice, the manager of Rosecrans Memorial Airport. "I have no doubt about that."

Rice is a member of the Guard but stressed that his comments were in his capacity as airport manager for the city of St. Joseph. He believes the city investment in Rosecrans, with a new runway, tower and terminal, positions the Guard for better news if there's another round of J model upgrades in the future.

"I believe community support is a big factor in these decisions," Rice said.

Greg Kozol can be reached at greg.kozol@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowKozol.