The Youngstown Air Reserve Station's (YARS) 910th Airlift Wing will be welcoming the first of its new fleet of C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft Tuesday.

A group of guests representing the 22nd Air Force, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the 910th Airlift Wing, and YARS federal, state, and community partners will attend a ceremony welcoming the new aircraft. For security reasons, YARS officials are not making public the arrival date of the aircraft.

According to Lockheed Martin's website, the C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a stretch version of its C-130J aircraft, which adds 15 feet to its main body, increasing the usable space in the cargo compartment.

The ceremony will kick off with a flyover by the new aircraft. From there, the aircraft will land, taxi to the ceremony location, and the aircrew and mission essential personnel will deplane.

From there guests including 22nd Air Force commander Major General Melissa Coburn and 910th Airlift Wing Commander Colonel Mike Maloney will deliver remarks.

In December of 2022, YARS was selected as the preferred location to replace the Air Force's eight C-130Hs with eight C-130Js after a site survey was conducted assessing the location based on factors related to the mission, infrastructure capacity, community support, environmental considerations, and cost.

The new aircraft is valued at approximately $109.75 million per unit for a total investment of about $878 million for the 910th Airlift Wing, YARS, and the Mahoning Valley.

The 910th Airlift Wing received its first C-130 aircraft in 1981 and operated multiple variants for over 40 years. The unit's current fleet is 1989 to 1992 models which were assigned in 1994.

"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. 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," Colonel Maloney said.

These will be YARS's first new aircraft in 30 years.