The 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard will be sending off the last C-130H2 Hercules during a ceremony Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10:30 am on the flight line of the 165th Airlift Wing. The aircraft is headed to what is affectionately called the Air Force “boneyard” located at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in AZ.

Since 2015, the 165th Airlift Wing has been upgrading from the C-130H2 that came to the unit in the early 1980’s to newer version C-130H3 models. These upgrades to the aircraft, along with the flight line upgrades which cost roughly $17.5 million, will help the Wing accomplish their mission for the future.

“These upgrades will significantly contribute to how the 165th Airlift Wing contributes to our state and federal missions and allow us to be better prepared for worldwide contingencies,” said Col. Rainer Gomez, the 165th Airlift Wing Commander.  “It also means we will have the ability to sustain operations with aircraft that are newer thus allowing us a longer future as a Guard unit.”

The media is invited to attend the send off of the aircraft by meeting at 10:00 am at the 165th Airlift Wing main gate, on Davidson Street off of Dean Forest Road and will be escorted to the flight line at that time.

For any questions please contact: Lt. Col. Dave Simons at 912-713-4944.