First C-130 Sortie from Great Falls

The Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Airlift Wing flew its first C-130 sortie on Wednesday, following the unit’s conversion from the F-15 fighter, wing officials announced on Facebook. The last F-15C from the former 120th Fighter Wing departed Great Falls for the California ANG’s 144th FW in Fresno last October, according to the unit newsletter. The redesignated 120th AW’s first C-130H arrived in March and its full complement of seven airlifters is slated to arrive by June, reported Great Falls KRTV. C-130 maintenance and support personnel trained with the Wyoming ANG over the past few months, according to a release. Montana pilots cross trained to the C-130 at Little Rock AFB, Ark., and the unit plans to begin routine flight operations in June. The unit flew fighters for 66 years before changing to the airlift mission.