The US Air Force confirmed force structure changes on 28 March 2013 that will impact Airmen and aircraft at the 179th Airlift Wing, the Ohio Air National Guard unit at Mansfield Lahm Airport in Mansfield, Ohio. Under aviation force structure changes in the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of the Air Force announced that the four C-27J Spartan aircraft will be divested from Mansfield, while eight C-130H Hercules will be fielded. In addition, the 179th Airlift Wing will increase personnel strength from 650 to 830 total Airmen. The first of the C-130Hs are scheduled to arrive by September 2013, with the final aircraft due by June 2016. The unit previously flew C-130s prior to converting to C-27Js.
