U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) have expressed approval following the Trump administration’s decision to establish the Air National Guard’s C-130J Main Operating Base (MOB) 11 at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne. This development involves the replacement of eight older C-130H aircraft with the modern C-130J Super Hercules fleet.
Senator Barrasso remarked, “The Trump administration rightfully selected the Wyoming National Guard base in Cheyenne to be the new home of the C-130J aircraft. The C-130J air tanker is one of the best tools we have to quickly and efficiently suppress wildfires at home and support airlift operations around the globe. With the ongoing threat of wildfires across the Rocky Mountain West, having access to these planes in Wyoming is more critical than ever.”
Senator Lummis highlighted, “This is a transformative moment for Wyoming’s military presence and our state’s contribution to our national security. The arrival of these cutting-edge aircrafts will significantly enhance our Air National Guard’s capabilities while securing high-skilled jobs and economic activity in our community for decades to come. I am grateful to the Trump administration for recognizing Wyoming’s strategic importance and the exceptional readiness of our Guard members to operate this advanced fleet.”
Representative Hageman stated, “This is a major win for Wyoming. Housing the C-130J fleet in Cheyenne reinforces Wyoming’s role as a strategic hub for military readiness and strengthens our firefighting capabilities. I’m grateful to President Trump for securing this investment in our state’s future, our service members, and our ability to respond to both foreign threats and domestic emergencies.”
The Cheyenne base was chosen over other candidates, including New Castle Air National Guard Base in Delaware, Nevada Air National Guard Base at Reno-Tahoe, and Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in Missouri, which were considered in previous assessments. The C-130J Super Hercules aircraft represents a technological improvement over the C-130H model, with enhancements in performance, fuel efficiency, cargo capacity, and avionics. It will improve the Wyoming Air National Guard’s ability to respond to military operations and domestic emergencies, such as aerial firefighting.
