Illinois Air National Guard's Peoria unit
to receive modernized aircraft    

[DEC. 11, 2004]  PEORIA -- During a news conference Friday at the headquarters of the Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, and Illinois Air National Guard officials announced that the unit will be receiving significantly newer aircraft to help carry out the mission of the 182nd.

The current four-decade-old fleet of C-130E aircraft will be replaced with C-130H aircraft built in the 1990s. The conversion from the E to H models is scheduled to begin in January 2005 with the delivery of two C-130Hs. By March of 2006, all eight of the C-130Es should be replaced with eight C-130Hs. 

"National Guard units are being mobilized, and their roles in the war zone are often the same as those of the active force," said Durbin. "If that is going to continue, the quality of their equipment should be the same as well. The 182nd has made us proud over the years as they've worked with older aircrafts. I'm pleased to see them receiving the newer equipment and know the members of the unit will continue to make us proud as they help defend the United States at home and abroad."

"This is great news for the 182nd," LaHood said, "and I applaud the hard work of the Illinois Air National Guard officials which has enabled this conversion to take place. The folks with the 182nd do tremendous work in keeping their 1960s planes up-to-date and in working order, but I know they are looking forward to utilizing these modernized planes.  These new planes will help the 182nd Airlift Wing carry out their vital mission well into the future."

The C-130H model, while similar to the C-130E, has many improvements over the older aircraft. The C-130H will have enhanced radar capability, will be night vision goggle-capable and will contain an improved electrical system. 

The new planes will be able to fly longer and higher than the current planes. The C-130Hs will also have improved threat warning and aircraft defense systems, which will greatly enhance the aircraft's survivability in hostile conditions.

While the conversion to the C-130H will require some training for the aircrew, it is not expected that the conversion period will affect the 182nd’s deployment in support of the Global War on Terror.

[News release from Rep. Ray LaHood,
18th Congressional District]