VIENNA TWP., Ohio - A new era has landed at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. The 910th Airlift Wing welcomed its new C-130J Super Hercules during a special ceremony at the Air Reserve Station.

Guests representing the 22nd Air Force, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, and community partners on the local, state, and federal levels were there to watch the aircraft land.

The C-130J at the special ceremony is one of 8 that will be coming to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station. The Air Reserve Station will replace 8 existing C-130H aircraft that range from 1989 to 1992 models. The airlift received those C-130s in 1994.

This is the first time in about 30 years that the Air Reserve Station will get a new fleet.

It's valued at a total investment of $878 million for the 910th, YARS, and the Mahoning Valley. With the new Super Hercules Aircraft, the future of the Air Reserve Station is expected to be secure for years.

Senator Sherrod Brown was at the ceremony. He said the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is essential to the Mahoning Valley.

"I know how important this runway is to the community and to this region, and how important YARS is to the Mahoning Valley. It wouldn't have been possible without YARS leadership and I thank you all for that," said Brown.

The C-130J model uses state-of-the-art technology, can fly further, and can carry more cargo and hold more personnel. The aircraft can also climb faster and higher. With the new technology, the Air Reserve Station will continue fulfilling its mission.

"We will continue having highly effective aerial spray capabilities well into the future, maintaining the designation as the department of defenses only large area of fixed-wing aerial spray capability, the only one in the world may I add, to control disease-carrying insects, pests, and undesirable vegetation and to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water," said Colonel Mike Maloney, Commander of the 910th Airlift Wing.

Over 2,000 employees work at the Youngstown Air Reserve station, making it the second largest employer in the Mahoning Valley. The Air Reserve Station brings in around 150 million dollars a year into the local economy.

2024 also marks the 70th anniversary of the C-130 airframe's first flight.