| 130th Airlift Wing | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 July 1960 – present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  West Virginia |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Airlift |
| Size | 8 C-130Js |
| Part of | West Virginia Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia |
| Motto | Ready To Go! |
| Tail Code | Blue tail stripe, "Charlie West" in yellow letters with state map |
| Website | https://www.130aw.ang.af.mil |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Bryan Preece |
The130th Airlift Wing (130 AW) is a unit of theWest Virginia Air National Guard, stationed atMcLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by theUnited States Air ForceAir Mobility Command.
The 130th Airlift Wing is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard, based at Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, providing tactical airlift in support of the United States Air Force and the State of West Virginia. Its primary mission is to provide tactical airlift capabilities to support the West Virginia National Guard, United States, and its allies. This includes the transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies in both domestic and international operations. The wing operates C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, which are versatile and widely used for airlift missions. The C-130J-30 is capable of performing various roles, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and aerial refueling.
In addition to its military mission, the 130th Airlift Wing plays a crucial role in responding to domestic emergencies. The unit can be activated to provide humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and support during state or national emergencies. Being part of the Air National Guard, the 130th Airlift Wing serves a dual role. In times of peace, it operates under the command of the governor of West Virginia to support state and local authorities. In times of war or national emergency, the unit can be federalized to support the broader defense needs of the United States.
The 130th Airlift Wing consists of the following units
On 1 July 1960, theWest Virginia Air National Guard130th Troop Carrier Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the130th Air Commando Group was established by theNational Guard Bureau. The 130th being re-designated as an Air Commando squadron and becoming the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 130th Headquarters, 130th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 130th Combat Support Squadron, and the 130th USAF Dispensary. Aircraft assigned to the new group wereC-119 Flying Boxcars andU-10D Super Courier combat observation aircraft. The mission of the 130th ACG was primarily Air Commando special operations missions.
Continuing its mission and training with the Active duty1st Air Commando Group in Northern Florida, in 1968 HQ USAF directed all Air Commando organizations be re-designated as "Special Operations" units to be more descriptive of their mission. Through the 1960s and into the 1970s the 130th participated in many international missions and received recognition for their performance. This included the 130th being awarded the Spaatz Trophy four times as the "Outstanding Flying Unit in the Country " and theAir Force Outstanding Unit Award five times.
In 1975, the Flying Boxcars were retired, the 130th receiving the far more capableC-130E Hercules transport, and being designated as a "Tactical Airlift" unit. The transition to the C-130 moved the gaining organization from Tactical Air Command toMilitary Airlift Command, with the primary mission of the Group becoming tactical airlift, with the Special Operations mission becoming secondary with the end of theVietnam War.
A model upgrade to the C-130H in 1986 was completed and in August and September 1990, the 130th TAG commanded a "volunteer" package of 16 C-130s and support personnel from WV, TN, TX, MO and DE ANG units in support ofOperation Desert Shield. October 1990 saw the Presidential Call of selected members from the 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron combining with the181st Tactical Airlift Squadron, TX ANG to form the functional staff of the 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (Provisional) atAl Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. In December 1990, the 130th Tactical Clinic and the 130th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron had selective members activated. They deployed toRAF Bicester, UK andDover AFB, Delaware respectively, subsequent to "Operation Desert Storm". All members were deactivated by June 1991. The members of the group located in the United Arab Emirates received theAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor.
In April 1992, some unit members and aircraft deployed toRhein-Main AB, Germany in support of the Bosnian Airlift called "Operation Provide Promise". The 130th has deployed several times since this date for "Provide Promise", the latest being from 21 September 1998 to 29 October 1998. In August 1993, one aircraft and 2 crews were sent to Operation "Operation Support Hope" for 30 days inRwanda, Africa.
Organizationally, the 130th was expanded to a Wing status in 1995. From January to March 1996, the unit deployed 2 aircraft, 6 crews and maintenance support to Daharan, Saudi Arabia, in support ofOperation Southern Watch.
As of mid-2000, the 130th AW had recently sent several aircraft and support personnel to Panama for Coronet Oak. While there, wing personnel were heavily involved inHurricane Mitch relief to Honduras and Nicaragua.
A significant milestone occurred on August 8, 2021, as the wing initiated a transition from the C-130H to the C-130J Super Hercules, marking a new era with the arrival of the first of eight C-130J-30 aircraft. Noteworthy in this transition is the elimination of the traditional navigator and flight engineer crew positions. The C-130J-30 is considered superior due to advanced avionics, increased performance, fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements, upgraded payload and cargo handling capabilities, a digital flight control system, multi-role capabilities, and an enhanced airframe life. This strategic move reflects the 130th Airlift Wing's commitment to modernizing its capabilities for future missions while optimizing crew configurations for streamlined operations.[1]
On 13 May 2005, theUnited States Department of Defense released itsBase Realignment and Closure, 2005 (BRAC) report, and the 130th Airlift Wing was one of the units slated to be eventually decommissioned. Its complement of eight C-130H aircraft would be transferred toPope Air Force Base, and its complement of expeditionary combat support (ECS) personnel to the 167th Airlift Wing.
Upon learning of this, several former commanders of the 130th Airlift Wing along with members of the local Kanawha County Commission and the Yeager Airport Board of Directors and formed theKeep 'Em Flying grassroots organization to try to prevent the unit from being decommissioned. Following an outpouring of community support, money was raised for newspaper and radio ads and to hire analysts familiar with BRAC, all in an attempt to save the unit. Funds were contributed from Yeager Airport, the Kanawha County Commission and the local economic development organization, theCharleston Area Alliance. On 13 June 2005, members of the BRAC commission came to Charleston to evaluate the base and talk to General Tackett, GovernorJoe Manchin, SenatorRobert Byrd, CongresswomanShelley Moore Capito and Col Bill Peters Jr, former commander of the 130th and chair for Keep 'Em Flying.
Following this visit, and taking in all the information that was presented to them during that time, the BRAC commission voted unanimously, 9–0, to keep the unit intact.
Yeager Airport Charleston, West Virginia, 1 October 1955
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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