Brown Celebrates Arrival of First New C-130J at Youngstown Air Reserve Station

VIENNA, OH - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) welcomed the first of eight new C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS). Following years of Brown pushing for the new planes, the Air Force Reserve Command Station selected Youngstown as the "preferred" location to receive the C-130Js in 2022. The planes will replace C-130H models at YARS that were built between 1989 and 1992.

"This is a great day for YARS and for the entire Mahoning Valley. After a years-long fight, the men and women stationed at YARS will have the new, state-of-the-art planes they need to do their jobs," said Brown. "The C-130Js will ensure the men and women stationed here can continue their vital work serving our country, and that the Mahoning Valley will continue our state's proud tradition of innovation, and military and aerospace leadership."

Brown has fought for nearly a decade to secure the investment to bring the C-130J models to the air base, beginning in 2015 when he urged the U.S. Air Force to replace the 910th Airlift Wing's fleet of C-130H aircraft with new C-130J aircrafts. He worked with Sen. Portman to bring an aerial spraying mission to the bases and to expedite funding for the modernization of C-130s to position YARS to get new planes. Brown also met with then Defense Secretary Jim Mattis about the need to keep the mission at YARS and help prioritize YARS as a site for future planes. In 2022, Brown announced that YARS would be getting eight C-130Js.

The mission of the 910^th Airlift Wing at YARS is to maintain the Department of Defense's only large area fixed-wing aerial spray capability to control disease-carrying insects, pest insects, undesirable vegetation, and to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water. Missions may be executed in combat areas, on Department of Defense installations, or in response to disasters or emergencies as declared by the President of the United States. The 910^th Airlift Wing also stands ready to support any tactical missions required by the Air Force. The C-130Js will primarily be used to perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission, and are capable of operating from rough dirt strips, and are the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

The Youngstown Air Reserve Station has nearly 2,000 military & civilian personnel, making it one of the largest employer in the Mahoning Valley, and its annual economic impact on the region is greater than $150 million.

"The 910th Airlift Wing's tactical airlift and aerial spray missions require a capable, reliable and adaptable airframe. Our C-130H Hercules aircraft have provided that for decades," said Col. Mike Maloney, 910th Airlift Wing commander. "As we retire them from service at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, we look forward to continuing their track record of success with a fleet of new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft."

Earlier this year, Brown secured key wins for Youngstown and YARS in the Federal Aviation Act of 2024, including a provision designating the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) a "primary airport," which will help ensure YNG has the resources necessary to support the missions of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, including those of the new C-130Js.

Additionally, Brown secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills to support YARS, including $6.1 million for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport runway rehabilitation project, which YARS relies upon, and $2.5 million for the planning and design of a new fire station at YARS. This is critical to the mission at YARS; YARS firefighters not only are responsible for fire safety on the base, but they also respond to emergencies in neighboring Mahoning Valley communities.

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