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189th Airlift Wing Takes Its First Flight In C-130J
February 7, 2025 (by
TSgt. Christopher Sherlock) -
The 189th Airlift Wing conducted its first training flight on February 7th in a J-model C-130, a major step in the C-130J conversion process.
The EC-130J aircraft is one of two the 189th received on September 18, 2024, as part of the ongoing mission of fleet modernization for the Air National Guard. Since that day, the 189th has overcome challenges that come with conversion.
"There has been an extensive amount of legwork these past few months to get to this point," said Col. Jason Cooper, 189th Operations Group Commander. "From acquiring approval to fly these aircraft, to the numerous amount of maintenance actions and everything else in between."
The crew consisted of Air National Guardsmen with prior experience on the C-130J, providing the 189th with a team ready to fly. That crew also relies on its maintenance team to ensure the aircraft is fit to fly.
"A consolidated team effort across the entire wing enabled us to reach this monumental occasion," says Cooper. "The 189 AW has highly capable airmen who are ready to project their capabilities domestically and globally, and they continuously display their expertise and reliability."
The 189th will continue maintaining an H-model schoolhouse as it progresses towards initial operational capability (IOC) as a C-130J schoolhouse. This would expand training capacity as the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and international partners increase their need for C-130J aircrews.
"Today's flight can be marked as a significant milestone within the storied history of the 189th Airlift Wing and I am more than excited for what the future holds."
The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology, which reduces manpower requirements, lowers operating costs, and provides life-cycle savings over earlier C-130 models.
The 189th AW is a tenant of Little Rock AFB and provides premier training to the C-130 and cyber enterprises, capitalizing on partnerships to support the state of Arkansas, defend the Nation, and contribute to rapid global mobility.
USAF EC-130J #99-1933 which is assigned to the 189th AW taxis back at Little Rock AFB on February 7, 2024. The training flight conducted was a first for the 189th in a J-model aircraft. [ANG photo by TSgt. Christopher Sherlock]
"There has been an extensive amount of legwork these past few months to get to this point," said Col. Jason Cooper, 189th Operations Group Commander. "From acquiring approval to fly these aircraft, to the numerous amount of maintenance actions and everything else in between."
The crew consisted of Air National Guardsmen with prior experience on the C-130J, providing the 189th with a team ready to fly. That crew also relies on its maintenance team to ensure the aircraft is fit to fly.
"A consolidated team effort across the entire wing enabled us to reach this monumental occasion," says Cooper. "The 189 AW has highly capable airmen who are ready to project their capabilities domestically and globally, and they continuously display their expertise and reliability."
The 189th will continue maintaining an H-model schoolhouse as it progresses towards initial operational capability (IOC) as a C-130J schoolhouse. This would expand training capacity as the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and international partners increase their need for C-130J aircrews.
"Today's flight can be marked as a significant milestone within the storied history of the 189th Airlift Wing and I am more than excited for what the future holds."
The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology, which reduces manpower requirements, lowers operating costs, and provides life-cycle savings over earlier C-130 models.
The 189th AW is a tenant of Little Rock AFB and provides premier training to the C-130 and cyber enterprises, capitalizing on partnerships to support the state of Arkansas, defend the Nation, and contribute to rapid global mobility.
Courtesy of 189th Airlift Wing
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Additional images:
The aircrew for EC-130J #99-1933 assigned to the 189th AW poses for a group photo on February 7, 2024. The crew conducted the first training flight in a J-model for the Arkansas ANG, an important step toward fleet modernization for the ANG. [ANG photo by TSgt. Christopher Sherlock]