The 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Ark., recently flew its final legacy C-130H training sortie before it transitions to the C-130J over the next few months, officials announced. The Active Duty wing has already handed-off C-130H pilot and loadmaster training to the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th AW, and will soon relinquish legacy Herc maintenance training to the Guard as well, according to a release. “This is a great step for the Guard,” said 189th AW crewchief SSgt. David Rogers. “It means bigger responsibility and a larger footprint for us,” he added. The Guard unit—also based at Little Rock—currently operates the largest C-130H fleet in the inventory with more than 20 airframes, according to the release. Active Duty instructors began training Arkansas ANG instructors last October, and plans call for the Guard to take over training maintainers early this fall. The 314th AW’s final C-130H sortie launched June 30.
Air Force Asking for $1.5B to Fund E-7 in 2027
May 20, 2026
The Air Force’s planned budget amendment to restore funding for the E-7A Wedgetail in fiscal 2027 will be about $1.5 billion, Air Force Sec. Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20. The Air Force also plans to keep funding the E-7 in 2028 and beyond, Meink told the House Armed Services…