Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led the Missouri Congressional delegation – including Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-1), Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-2), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), Rep. Mark Alford (MO-4), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-5), Rep. Sam Graves (MO-6), Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-7), and Rep. Jason Smith (MO-8) – in sending a letter to the Director of the Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Michael A. Loh, expressing their full support for transferring eight C-130J aircraft to Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

"We were recently informed that the 139th Airlift Wing has been selected to move forward to the next step of the C-130J basing decision process. In light of this announcement, we write in full support of transferring eight C-130Js to the 139th Airlift Wing (139th AW) at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Saint Joseph, Missouri," the lawmakers wrote.

They continued, "As final basing decisions for the transfer of C-130J aircraft approach, we thank you again for your continued consideration of the 139th AW to receive the C-130J.  Basing these aircraft at Rosecrans Air National Guard base will solidify the continued success of the 139th AW in service of our country."

Read the full letter below.

Lieutenant General Michael A. Loh
Director, Air National Guard
3500 Fetchet Avenue
Andrews AFB, MD 20762-5157

Dear Lieutenant General Loh,

We were recently informed that the 139th Airlift Wing has been selected to move forward to the next step of the C-130J basing decision process. In light of this announcement, we write in full support of transferring eight C-130Js to the 139th Airlift Wing (139th AW) at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

The 139th AW at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is host to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC). The AATTC provides all Mobility Air Forces of the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard—along with joint partners in the U.S. Marine Corps and at least 17 allies and partners—with advanced airlift tactics and training. No other Air National Guard Base under consideration for this C-130J basing action boasts this unique asset. The 139th AW also has a long record of successful wartime deployments and regularly contributes to domestic and homeland security needs, including in response to natural disasters.

The 139th AW currently performs the above missions using older C-130H models. Upgrading the current fleet of C-130Hs to the new C-130J models would not only improve the unit’s ability to meet current and projected operational requirements, including Agile Combat Employment, but would also improve its ability to respond to domestic requirements. Importantly, 139th AW’s central position in the Continental United States allows it to rapidly deploy across the country. Furthermore, the 139th AW is the only Air National Guard airlift unit with the capability to respond locally in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 7, which includes Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.

The 139th AW has continued to maintain and modernize its infrastructure, ensuring that it is well- postured to receive C-130J aircraft now and for decades to come. For example, through new land lease sales, base development, and a new runway, the unit is already positioned to have the capacity and resources necessary for the delivery of C-130J aircrafts. The 139th AW also has recorded higher flying hour allocation than any other C130H unit for Fiscal Year 2023. All of this reaffirms what we have long known to be true—that no other unit in the Air National Guard is better situated to accept the C-130J aircraft than the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base.

As final basing decisions for the transfer of C-130J aircraft approach, we thank you again for your continued consideration of the 139th AW to receive the C-130J. Basing these aircraft at Rosecrans Air National Guard base will solidify the continued success of the 139th AW in service of our country.

Thank you for your service to our nation and the United States Air Force.

Sincerely,