Federal and state officials announced Wednesday Kentucky’s Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing is getting C-130J Hercules aircraft from the U.S. Air Force. Kentucky is one of four states chosen to receive the fleet of aircraft.
The Air Guard unit, based at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is expected to begin receiving eight of the C-130Js in 2021. That will be pending the outcome of an environmental assessment.
They will replace eight C130H aircraft the wing’s been flying since 1992. 123rd Airlift Wing Commander David Mounkes says the newest aircraft will reduce manpower requirements, lower operating and support costs, and will provide life-cycle savings over earlier C-130 models.
Three other Air Guard units, in Texas, West Virginia, and Georgia, also were selected to receive the new aircraft.
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