Final Flight Chapter: 133rd Airlift Wing Deploys C-130H3 to AFRI

A U.S. Air Force C-130H3 Hercules assigned to the 133rd Airlift Wing takes off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 21, 2026. The Airmen and the aircraft are en route to a deployed location within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, where they will transport personnel and cargo. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amy M. Lovgren)

Final Flight Chapter: 133rd Airlift Wing Deploys C-130H3 to AFRI

U.S. Air Force C-130H3 Hercules starts to taxi in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 21, 2026. Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing deployed with their aircraft to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, where they will be transporting personnel and cargo. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amy M. Lovgren)

Final Flight Chapter: 133rd Airlift Wing Deploys C-130H3 to AFRI

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 133rd Maintenance Group push a power cart away from a C-130H3 Hercules in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 21, 2026. Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing deployed with their aircraft to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, where they will be transporting personnel and cargo. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amy M. Lovgren)

Final Flight Chapter: 133rd Airlift Wing Deploys C-130H3 to AFRI

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 133rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron de-ice a C-130H3 Hercules using a Global Deicer Truck in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 21, 2026. Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing deployed with their aircraft to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, where they will be transporting personnel and cargo. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amy M. Lovgren)

Final Flight Chapter: 133rd Airlift Wing Deploys C-130H3 to AFRICOM

Published March 25, 2026
By Amy M. Lovgren
133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing hosted a departure event for more than 100 Airmen who were set to deploy alongside their soon-to-be-replaced C-130H3 Hercules to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility.

“The 133rd Airlift Wing is poised to execute its federal mission during their final C-130H3 Hercules deployment,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Tripp, commander of the 109th Airlift Squadron. “Our aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel have trained relentlessly and are ready to showcase the wing’s tactical airlift prowess in support of U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility objectives.”

The deployment comes as the 133rd Airlift Wing prepares for a major transition. The C-130H3 Hercules model has been the backbone of the 133rd’s tactical airlift mission for decades; however, this fall, the wing is scheduled to begin a three-year process to modernize its fleet to the C-130J-30 Super Hercules. The new airframe will bring modern avionics that provide better automation and a newer, stronger propulsion system that allows the aircraft to fly longer, higher, and faster.

“This deployment is a tribute to the dedication of many generations of Airmen over the last 30 years flying, maintaining, and supporting the C-130H3,” Tripp added. “The tactical airlift expertise this wing exhibits would not be possible without their unwavering, sustained efforts.”

One of 11 unified combatant commands under the U.S. Department of War, AFRICOM’s area of responsibility encompasses all of Africa except for Egypt. During this regularly scheduled deployment, the Airmen’s primary mission will be the transport of cargo and personnel throughout the region.

About the 133rd Airlift Wing: The 133rd Airlift Wing has a proud heritage as part of the Minnesota Air National Guard. The 133rd's heritage can be traced through the 109th Observation Squadron, the first federally recognized National Guard aviation unit in the United States, later becoming part of what is now known as the Air National Guard. The 133rd Airlift Wing celebrated their 100th year in Jan. 2021.

About the Minnesota National Guard: Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has nearly 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.