By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post'
A new headquarters for the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport opens the door for more opportunities at Rosecrans.
St. Joseph Third District Councilmember Andy Trout says part of moving many utilities at the 139th from the south to the north is an opportunity for more advancements with a new and better airport.
"It'll be new ramp space to park, it will have lots and lots of new features, a lot of new concrete out there, we'll have a new terminal, a new restaurant, the diner out there is great, but they'll have a brand-new space with brand new everything, it will be really really nice, " Trout tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "For the first time we'll have a place to house our snow removal equipment."
Trout says the renovations include a new firehouse.
The 139th is moving from its current location to a new headquarters now under construction to the north, out of the airport’s flood plain.
Improvements being made by the Air National Guard base at Rosecrans Memorial Airport could also provide more opportunity for economic growth in St. Joseph.
Trout says the new 139th Airlift Wing headquarters under construction at Rosecrans opens the door for other economic potential in the city.
"Particularly once the 139th abandons the south campus and moves their buildings all up north, that will create a lot of potential," Trout explains. "The one downside is it's across the river, now that the rivers changed, but it's just not that far away."
Trout says there are a lot of businesses that require some close relationship with an airport for traffic and people coming in to work close by here in St. Joseph.
Potential improvements could be coming to the planes flown by the 139th Airlift Wing headquartered at Rosecrans Memorial Airport
St. Joseph Third District Councilmember Andy Trout says currently the 139th has five H-model C-130's but remains optimistic it soon can upgrade to the J Model.
"Which is the more advanced C-130, little longer, better engines, less fuel burn, it's just all around a much better jet than the H Models we have currently," Trout says. "And the comment was made that they may have the 130 J's before they get the new prop hubs for the H Models, so that would be an outstanding thing."
Trout says an upgrade of the planes combined with the new headquarters under construction at Rosecrans will improve the mission of the 139th.
