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Congressman Troy Balderson, R-OH, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for the U.S. Air Force to provide a long-term fleet management plan for C-130 aircraft, saying a proposed reduction of the aircraft within Air National Guard units could jeopardize missions conducted by the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield-Lahm Regional Airport. 

Balderson, whose 12th Congressional District includes Mansfield, signed a letter Tuesday in which lawmakers urged the House Armed Services Committee to require the Air Force to provide what they refer to as "data-driven reasoning" for a smaller C-130 fleet.

"We urge caution, as the Air Force appears to continue its reduction of Air National Guard (ANG) units before adequately explaining its long-term plan for the C-130H fleet," lawmakers wrote.

The committee unanimously approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week, but amendments to the policy bill can still be introduced, a spokesperson with Balderson's office told the News Journal.

“Cutting back the 179th’s aircraft fleet would deliver a devastating blow to its critical mission and capabilities,” Balderson said in a news release. “Before potentially impacting this unit and the dedicated men and women who serve it, we need answers as to the logic and sustainable strategy behind these decisions.”

What the letter said 

According to the letter, signed by five other lawmakers, the Air Force has proposed to reduce the C-130 fleet from 300 to 287 in fiscal year 2021. All 13 aircraft would come from Air National Guard units.

The 179th Airlift Wing uses the C-130H, or Hercules, to perform tactical airlift operations and provide support for disaster response and aeromedical missions.

While eight older H-models would be recapitalized with eight newer J-models, five different ANG units would divest a Backup Inventory Aircraft (BAI), the letter states.

"This is unsustainable," the lawmakers wrote. "Units have already been reduced from a dozen aircraft to seven primary aircraft with one BAI. The Air Force proposes to continue a reduction in units by stripping the BAI away, despite the units relying on that BAI to generate sorties necessary to maintain combat proficiency."

"Further, the most recent Mobility Capabilities and Requirements Study found a need to maintain 300 theater airlift aircraft to meet requirements. Nevertheless, the Air Force proposes to assume the risk of a smaller theater airlift fleet and has not provided sufficient justification. Any reduction in crucial capabilities should be the result of informed decision making."

Col. Todd K. Thomas, commander of the 179th Airlift Wing, provided a statement in response to a request for comment.

"The 179th Airlift Wing is a proven combat unit that continually demonstrates a superior level of tactical airlift capability during contingencies, domestic operations, and in supporting the state of Ohio," he said. "The number one priority of our Wing is our laser-beam focus on our combat readiness with respect to our Airmen, C130 aircraft, and our tactical airlift mission. I feel strongly that the 179th AW’s tactical airlift capability and what we bring to the fight is critical to the total force and our Airmen are poised to continue that mission for years to come — it’s The Mansfield Way…"