Seven C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 139th Airlift Wing, 182nd Airlift Wing, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command take off from Rosecrans Air National Guard base, St. Joseph, Missouri, March 20, 2025. They later joined four other C-130s for a massive 11 aircraft formation flight and airdrop at the Smoky Hill range near Salina, Kansas. This mission is part of the C-130H Weapons Instructor Course (WIC), which is part of the 29th Weapons Squadron, where aircrew are trained to become tactical experts in their airframes. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Michael Crane)
On January 5, a powerful blizzard swept through the region, dumping 16 inches of snow in a 24-hour period in St. Joseph. Despite the severe weather, the 139th Airlift Wing’s mission at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base had to continue. That’s where the 139th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) stepped in to ensure critical areas remained operational.
Before putting on the uniform, Staff Sgt. Heaven Douglas, 139th Comptroller Flight, broke records and competed on one of the world’s biggest stages: the Olympic Trials. As a standout hammer thrower for the University of Central Missouri, Douglas shattered records, earned national titles, and performed at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Despite her success in track and field, life led her in a new direction—one where she would trade...
