Congressman Troy Downing, along with Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and Congressman Ryan Zinke, have addressed concerns to the U.S. Air Force regarding delays in delivering C-130J aircraft to the Montana Air National Guard.
In a letter sent to U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, the lawmakers highlighted that the Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Airlift Wing currently operates eight C-130H aircraft. These are all scheduled for replacement with upgraded C-130J models. The letter states: “We write to you today to express our concern regarding continued delays in C-130J aircraft deliveries to the Montana Air National Guard and to emphasize the importance of timely receipt. The Montana Air National Guard 120th Airlift Wing currently operates a fleet of 8 C-130Hs, all of which are scheduled to be replaced with the upgraded and improved C-130J model. That critical upgrade will allow the Wing to better respond to national defense operations, natural disasters, conduct more efficient airlift operations, and carry out their wildfire and rescue missions…”
The lawmakers requested specific information on what has caused these delivery delays and asked what steps could be taken to return the program to its original schedule. They wrote: “… We request that you provide answers to the following questions:
What, specifically, has caused these delivery delays?
What remedies can be pursued to bring this program back on schedule?
…Thank you for your support and we look forward to working with you to ensure Montana’s Air National Guard receives the aircraft they have been promised on a reasonable timeline,” they wrote in the letter.