LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing is set to receive eight C-130J Hercules aircraft, the most current model of the venerable airframe, from the United States Air Force.

Gov. Andy Beshear, along with Kentucky's Congressional Delegation, made the announcement Wednesday. 

Pending the outcome of an environmental assessment, the Louisville-based unit will begin receiving the C-130Js in 2021. The new aircraft will replace eight C-130Hs that have been flying since 1992. 

The C-130H Hercules aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

 Kentucky is one of only four Air Guard units, including others in Texas, West Virginia, and Georgia, selected to receive C-130Js.

“Kentucky is grateful to the 123rd Airlift Wing and the 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen of our Commonwealth’s National Guard for their dedication to protecting our communities and our country,” Sen. Mitch McConnell said. "As Senate Majority Leader, it was a privilege to help bring these aircraft to the Bluegrass State. For several years, my colleagues in the delegation and I have supported the necessary federal funding for these planes and highlighted Kentucky’s critical role in defending our country. [Air Force] Secretary Barbara Barrett made an excellent choice for the new C-130J aircraft, and I look forward to the 123rd Airlift Wing’s continued excellence at home and abroad.”

Beshear echoed McConnell's praise.

“The Kentucky National Guard has protected this country for generations, and are now protecting us during this pandemic,” he said. "With the U.S. Air Force only selecting four Air National Guard units in the entire country during this competitive process, their selection of Kentucky demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to our military and military families, the capability of our service members, and our ability to move forward and create a better commonwealth for all Kentuckians as we emerge from this pandemic.”

According to Commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing Col. David Mounkes, the new aircraft will reduce manpower requirements, lower operating and support costs, and provide life-cycle cost savings over earlier C-130 models. The J model also climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance.

Major system improvements include an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics, color multifunctional liquid crystal, head-up displays, and state-of-the-art navigation, including a dual inertial navigation system and GPS. The aircraft also features fully integrated defensive systems, low-power color radar, a digital moving map display, new turboprop engines with six-bladed all-composite propellers, and a digital auto pilot. Improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems, and an enhanced cargo-handling system are also included in the new transport aircraft.

“The selection is a reflection of the wing’s culture of excellence and strong operational impact to both overseas contingencies and homeland domestic operations,” said Brig. Gen. Jeff Wilkinson, the Kentucky National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Air. “The 123rd Airlift Wing was selected because we will make the most impactful use of this capability for the Guard and the United States Air Force."

The process leading up to the decision on who would receive the J model has taken months. Officials from the National Guard Bureau, Air Mobility Command, and U.S. Air Force evaluated a variety of factors, including a unit’s ability to support the airframe with existing facilities, its aircraft maintenance capabilities, and its history of operational missions.