Defense budget proposal includes decrease of four C-130s, end of active duty association for Colorado Reserve wing

  • Published
  • By 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Department of Defense budget request for fiscal year 2015 includes a decrease of four assigned aircraft for the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing and the end of the Reserve wing's association with the active duty Air Force's 52nd Airlift Squadron.

The proposed reduction in airframes would decrease the Peterson-based Reserve wing's inventory of assigned aircraft from 12 to eight, C-130H3 aircraft. This reduction is part of the Air Force's plan to realign its overall C-130 inventory.

"We will continue to train, fly and deploy -- keeping in perspective this is a proposal in the very beginning stage," said Col. Courtney J. Arnold, Commander of the 302nd AW.

The 302nd AW's primary missions include tactical airlift and airdrop along with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission. The wing added the aeromedical evacuation mission in April of 2008. Most recently, Airmen and aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing have supported multiple deployments in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Coronet Oak, Provide Promise and Unified Response.

The 302nd AW's MAFFS-equipped C-130s, aircrews and personnel supported record wildland fire fighting seasons with support to Colorado's Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires in 2012 and 2013 as well as support to fires throughout the western United States contributing to the MAFFS Air Expeditionary Group's drop total of just more than 1.3 million gallons of retardant on fires in eight states in 2013.

The defense budget proposal also calls for the 302nd AW's association with the active duty's 52nd AS which began in October of 2009 to end. During the nearly five-year association the approximately 200- member 52nd AS has become fully operational capable and fully integrated its training and flying operations, aircraft maintenance and aerial port with the Reserve wing.

"We have a mission today," said Lt. Col. Jason Terry 52nd AS Commander. "We will continue to integrate with the 302nd AW and meet our nation's airlift requirements."