120th Airlift Wing completes “fini flight” in C-130H models; new aircfraft expected in June
The 120th Airlift Wing flew its last tactical training sortie in the C-130H Hercules with a “fini flight” ceremony on Oct. 3.
The wing is converting to newer C-130J Super Hercules aircraft after nearly 13 years in the H models.
The unit was selected in 2023 for eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
120th Airlift Wing nearing completion of first J-model conversion facility
Lt. Col. Casey Lalonde, 120th Operations Support Squadron commander, was the first 120th pilot in the C-130 training pipeline when the wing transitioned from fighter jets to the cargo planes in 2013-2014.
The final flight for the H models was a bit of a special day for him, but “bittersweet,” Lalonde said.
It’s “sad to see old ones go,” but they’re excited for new aircraft, which will continue the unit’s tactical airlift mission.
120th repaints static jet display in Lions Park
He completed his J model training in August.
The unit had been flying the 1970s model of the C-130 until 2021, when the unit received eight newer H models, bringing the average age of the planes to 1992-1993, Col. Trace Thomas, 120th commander, told City Commissioners during the summer of 2021.
MANG selected for new aircraft after years of modernization efforts [2023]
In 2023, MANG’s fleet of H models were upgraded from four-blade to eight-blade propellers.
In the H models, the 120th completed four major combat deployments and flew in more than 50 countries on six continents. The unit sent people to seven continents, he said.
120th christens new drop zone training site near Power
The new J models, the first of which is expected to arrive at the 120th in June, according to Col. Jason Green, wing commander, looks similar to the H model, but has significant differences.
The new aircraft have more powerful engines, improved avionics and larger cargo space, according to the 120th.
120th Airlift Wing airmen return from deployment [2025]
The H model flight crews included flight engineer and navigator positions, but the new J models only require two pilots and a loadmaster, Lalonde said.
Some of the wing’s flight engineers and navigators were at a point in their careers that they were ready to leave the wing, but most cross-trained to other career fields; some went into maintenance and some were selected for pilot training, Lalonde said.
On Saturday, the wing flew a two-ship training mission to the drop zone near Power.
120th preparing for deployment, aircraft conversion [2025]
Two planes took off together; one had engine trouble and returned early, but the aircraft with a Montana tail flash completed its training run and landed to be sprayed by two National Guard fire engines.
Green, wing commander, piloted the aircraft and was doused in champagne by his family when he stepped out, another aviation tradition.
The 120th had eight H models total, but only two remain on the ramp and will be divested by the end of October, according to the wing.
120th Airlift Wing upgrading C-130 fleet [2023]
The aircraft have gone to various locations, including one that flew to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where it will remain as a static trainer.
Another went to be a static trainer at Fort Bliss in Texas and another to South America through military foreign sales, according to the wing.
In the interim, airmen will travel to Texas and Arkansas to train on C-130J simulators, Lalonde said.
Some C-130s from Montana Air National Guard transferred abroad [2022]
The wing is also working with other National Guard units that have C-130J models that are sending aircraft and crews to Great Falls. The 120th will do what’s called an interfly with 120th airmen flying with the other units on their aircraft to stay current, Lalonde said.
Since the J models are new aircraft, the pilots have to go through conversion training and most of those rated to fly the H models have completed their J model training, Lalonde said.
The conversion is a basewide effort, he said. Maintenance airmen are also going through conversion training.
In August, the 120th celebrated the near completion of a new petroleum, oil and lubricants, or POL, facility.
The $33 million facility is going through final testing and was expected to be fully operational in September.
Once the wing transitions to the new POL facility, the current facility, the Air Force’s last underground system, will be demolished, according to wing officials.
During an Aug. 7 ceremony, Green, 120th commander, said the wing was scheduled to complete about $400 million in military construction over the next few years as part of the C-130J model conversion.
MDT hosting informational meeting on July 23 on planned Gore Hill improvements
Green, the 120th commander, told The Electric that the wing’s conversion to C-130J models officially began June 1.
About 30 maintenance airmen are headed out this fall for training on the J model aircraft, Green told The Electric in August.
Seventeen airmen on the operations side have completed J model training and another 20 were training in August, Green said. The last aircrew will go to training in December.
Other major upcoming construction projects include an unimproved landing zone at the Great Falls International Airport.
An environmental baseline study was underway this spring to be followed by lease negotiations with the airport, with an anticipated no-cost lease amendment, according to the 120th.
Design for the project, which is expected to exceed $6 million, is about 95 percent complete and construction will be contracted out, hopefully by the end of the year, Green said in August.
The 120th is also planning a new main gate entry/alignment, which is being evaluated as part of the same environmental baseline study and a Montana Department of Transportation analysis is underway.
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Project completion is expected for 2027-2028. It’s expected to exceed $6 million and is currently funded for design, according to the Guard.
The 120th is scheduled to host the Roar Over the Rockies airshow in August 2027, featuring the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels.
