Category Archives: Montana Air National Guard

MANG selected for new aircraft after years of modernization efforts

The Montana Air National Guard is getting eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The newer planes will replace the 120th Airlift Wing’s aging fleet of C-130H model aircraft. Sen. Jon Tester made the announcement on the new planes Sept. 14 after years of working to secure the newer aircraft for MANG. The 120th transitioned from fighter jets to the C-130, the

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City to consider mutual aid agreement with Air Guard fire department

City Commissioners will be asked to approve an updated mutual aid agreement with the Montana Air National Guard fire department during their Sept. 5 meeting. Annually, Guard officials ask Great Falls Fire Rescue to update contact information and response capabilities. The Air Force sometimes updates their own regulations that require updating the mutual aid agreements, which is the case for

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Marine Corps fighter jets training over Great Falls

Fighter jets are flying over Great Falls for a training exercise. The jets are F/A-18 Hornets and F-5N Tiger II, according the Montana Air National Guard. The units participating are, according to the Montana Air National Guard: Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 is a reserve United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron, known as the “Cowboys”. The squadron is based

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DoD drops COVID vaccine requirement; most airmen already vaccinated

Earlier in January, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rescinded the August 2021 memo mandating that all members of the U.S. military under DoD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the November 2021 memo on vaccination requirements for the National Guard and Reserves. The change was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for the current fiscal year. As of mid-January, the

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120th Airlift Wing upgrading C-130 fleet

The Montana Air National Guard is updating its fleet of C-130 Hercules planes from four-blade to eight-blade propellers. “There are some huge benefits with the eight-blade props,” Lt. Col. Justin Hutchins, director of operations, said in a release. “The biggest ones are reduced maintenance cost, along with the ability to have better performance.” The 120th Airlift Wing’s plane was sent

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Construction progressing on city’s new indoor aquatic facility

aquatic center rendering

Construction is progressing on the city’s new indoor aquatic and recreation center in Lions Park. The new indoor aquatics and recreations center is 45,000 square feet of new construction that will include a recreation pool, lap pool, gym, fitness center, walking track, multipurpose room, party room, locker rooms, restrooms, child watch area, lobby, offices, storage and mechanical rooms at 900

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Thunderbirds have arrived in Great Falls, performing at this weekend’s airshow

The sound of fighter jets have returned to Great Falls this week and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be performing this weekend at the 2022 Flight Over the Falls airshow at the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard. Capt. Daniel Katz will be flying in the No. 6 Thunderbird as the opposing solo during the show

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Thunderbirds in town for airshow July 23-24

The U.S. Thunderbirds will take the skies over Great Falls again next weekend at the 2022 Flight Over the Falls at the airport. The airshow is July 23-24 and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Montana Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. The Guard is hosting the event this year, in partnership with Malmstrom Air Force Base, and

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City reduces cost for aquatic center construction; approves fundraising agreement

aquatic center rendering

Commissioner unanimously approved a change to the city’s construction contract with Swank Enterprises that reduced the cost by $244,655 for the new indoor aquatic center. The commission awarded the construction contract to Swank in November with a base bid of $17.9 million and an alternate for $354,000 for about 45,000 square feet of new construction, site work such as excavation,

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Airshow dates set; Thunderbirds to perform

The 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base are hosting the 2022 Flight Over the Falls at the airport July 23-24. The U.S. Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform. Daines honors Piano Pat, WW2 veteran; visits Malmstrom, 120th Airlift Wing Col. Trace Thomas, 120th commander, told City Commissioners in June 2021 that the Thunderbirds

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