By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says while the state is concerned
about the future of the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, it
believes recent investments at Rosecrans Memorial Airport should ensure its
future.
Parson acknowledges the state was worried a bit when the
Pentagon passed over the 139th to award the first round of new C-130
cargo planes.
“Well, I don’t think there’s any question we’re concerned
about it, but we do feel like we got a pretty good opportunity last time,
because a lot of those orders were filled to other installations. So, we feel
like we should be at the top of that list,” Parson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “But
what we feel and what happens in Washington, D.C. are two different things. I
think we have a good chance to get the C-130Js here.”
The 139th has a fleet of C-130H planes. It is
awaiting word on whether it will receive the upgraded C-130J models.
Parson says erecting a new air traffic control tower and
terminal building at Rosecrans should be enough for the Pentagon to upgrade the
139th’s cargo planes from the “H” model to the “J” model.
“All the upkeeps they’re doing, all the updates they’re doing
and then just some of the new parts of the facility, new tower they’re going to
build and things like that are important. You have a tower out there that’s 50
years old. It probably doesn’t even meet the height requirements you have
today. Making those changes I think, showing that we’re real serious about
making investments in our state, should be a signal to the military that, hey,
we’re going to be here for the long haul.”
Parson visited the 139th as part of the Missouri
Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission quarterly meeting. He also
held a book signing at the downtown St. Joseph Library and made a visit to
Missouri Western State University.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.