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.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
