NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- A C-130 Hercules aircraft endures a snowy Western New York winter on the flight line here awaiting its final destination as an air park display. The aircraft was flown in from a Connecticut Air Guard unit, located in Bradley Field, near Windsor Locks, Conn. in September, 2017. It had previously been stationed and finished out its service at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia.
The now retired aircraft is waiting out the winter on the flight line in anticipation of its final trip across the base, into the base airpark, located near the main gate of the installation.
Tentatively, the C-130 is scheduled to be disassembled sometime after the 2018 air show weekend, which will take place in June. The aircraft will ultimately be displayed facing west/northwest alongside the C-47 Skytrain.
Chief Master Sgt. David Eschborn, 914th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, will play a major role in coordinating the disassembling and transporting of the static aircraft. He will be working with 402nd personnel stationed at Robins AFB, Georgia who specialize in this kind of work, as well as Base Static Aircraft Custodian, Mr. Jim Nagelhout.
“I'm very proud to be a part of our procurement and placement of a C-130 static display,” remarked Chief Eschborn. “I have worked on the C-130 aircraft my entire 34-year career.”
This display will pay homage to the 46-year mission the C-130 served under the 914th. It will be displayed along with the two other aircraft already in the airpark, the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar and the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, two aircraft that have also played significant roles in the history associated with the wing.
Former 914th Air Refueling Wing Commander, Col. Brian Bowman played a prominent role in obtaining the C-130 for the purposes of a static display, believing in the importance of honoring and recognizing the legacy of the aircraft and the men and women who contributed to the airlift mission.
“The addition of the C-130 to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base would provide Air Force Reservists with a purposeful understanding of their unit’s tremendous history supporting the United States in times of war and peace, and instill a further sense of pride and dedication,” said Col. Bowman.