PEORIA, Ill. — Leaders pushing for C-130Js for the Peoria Air National Guard.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) said the planes would be beneficial for the men and women serving in Peoria.
“What this will do for the folks serving in the Air National Guard in Peoria is give them close to the most up to date C-130 planes that they could possibly have in order to get them ready should they be called in to fight,” Bustos said. “We just want to make sure as vital as they are to not just the Peoria region and the state of Illinois but to the nation that they have the best.”
Bustos, along with Representative Darin LaHood (IL-18), and Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force to recapitalize the C-130Js.
“What that will do is ask that those will be placed in Peoria with the approval of the Secretary of the Air Force,” Bustos said.
Peoria is well suited to host these planes according to Bustos.
“We’ve got everything it takes for the Secretary of the Air Force to approve this.
The 182nd Airlift Wing does not have any issues with air quality, the length of the runway meets the requirements, and Bustos said Peoria is very cost effective.
