Montana Air National Guard at Gore Hill named as the preferred site for
basing of a squadron of the new C27J Military cargo aircraft.
WASHINGTON – 10/13/10
The Air Force announced Great Falls International Airport, Mont. as the preferred alternative to be the seventh C-27J operational location bedding down four aircraft. Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley and General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force announced in July 2010 two candidate bases that included Boise Air Terminal AGS, Idaho and Great Falls International Airport, Mont. Site survey teams evaluated the two candidates for feasibility, timing, cost and planning purposes to meet initial operational capability requirements.
The C-27J is a twin turboprop engine aircraft designed to meet the Air Force requirement for a rugged, medium size airland transport. The C-27J gives US military troops a unique, short-take-off-and-landing capability, providing access to airstrips otherwise unreachable by fixed-wing aircraft.
The first six operational bases announced in July 2008 were Martin State AGS, Baltimore, MD; W.K. Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek, MI; Bradley IAP AGS, Bradley, CT; Hector Field AGS, Fargo, ND; Mansfield Lahm RAP, Mansfield, OH; and Key Field AGS, Meridian, MS.
The final basing decision for the next operational base is pending completion of environmental impact analysis, expected by May 2011. A final announcement is expected in June 2011 with aircraft delivery expected in mid-2014.
This announcement represents a positive step for MANG and Great Falls according to Joe Briggs the Chairman of the Cascade County Commission. "There will be those who will downplay the importance of this announcement as only being four aircraft, but it represents a secure flying mission for MANG, something that we have been lacking since the announcement that the F-15s would be shifted to another base next year." "Now that we have these four aircraft headed our way, we need to not only continue the fight to keep our F-15s but also aggressively pursue the additional squadrons of C27js that are scheduled to be brought into service." Briggs added his congratulations to the Montana Air National Guard for being selected for this mission as well as his thanks to the congressional delegation and the Central Montana Defense Alliance for their efforts on behalf of both MANG and Malmstrom.
Air Force Public Affairs Guidance dcoument regarding the basing of C27J aircraft - 10/13/10
 | Paid by Briggs for County Commission, 5900 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 | |
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