Budget: Colorado Reserve wing would lose four C-130s, active duty association

by 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/10/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- The Air Force force structure proposal 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 wing's association with the active duty 52nd Airlift Squadron.

The proposal would decrease wing's inventory 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, 302nd AW commander.

The defense budget proposal also calls for the association with the 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."