Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) applauded the United States Air Force's selection of Peoria's 182nd Airlift Wing as a preferred location to receive C-130J Super Hercules upgrades to replace their aging C-130Hs. LaHood has been a longtime advocate for this upgrade, a process which began eight years ago.
"The 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria is one of the nation's premier C130 units and a vital part of our community in central Illinois. Today's announcement is great news for Peoria and the men and women of the 182nd. Modernizing the 182nd's fleet to newer aircraft by converting the aging C-130Hs to C-130J’s will ensure the wing maintains and strengthens its flying mission for years to come," said Rep. LaHood. "Since joining Congress in 2015, upgrading the 182nd's fleet has been a top priority of my office. I am pleased the Air Force has appropriately recognized the leadership of the 182nd and I will continue to advocate for the men and women who serve our nation in Congress."
Rep. LaHood pushed for the C-130J upgrades and supported the 182nd over the past eight years serving central Illinois in Congress. LaHood has advocated for the C-130J upgrade at the 182nd in each appropriations cycle during his time in Congress. Additionally, in 2019, LaHood sent a bipartisan letter to request that the Air Force consider these upgrades.
The Air Force's announcement that four Air National Guard locations were chosen for C-130J upgrades begins the transition process that will see C-130J aircraft used to recapitalize the C-130H fleet in Peoria. The Air Force will now move forward with manpower review, training updates, and environmental impact analysis for each base through Fiscal Year 2025.
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