SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 – The 189th Air Wing officially began its first aircraft conversion in almost 40 years with the arrival of two EC-130J Super Hercules aircraft Sept. 18. The conversion to the C-130J is a major step toward fleet modernization for the Air National Guard in the effort to retain rapid global mobility with its primary combat delivery aircraft. With the C-130 legacy celebrating its 70th anniversary of flight this year, the J-model is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet and has replaced aging models. The C-130J incorporates state-of-the-art technology, which reduces manpower requirements, lowers operating and support costs, and provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier C-130 models.