The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced on Mar. 26 that a record number of members of Congress have signed a bipartisan letter urging the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fund the C-130J Super Hercules program.
The effort comes after IAM International President Brian Bryant wrote to lawmakers, asking them to support continued investment in the production of the C-130J aircraft. The letter from Congress calls for additional funding to add eight C-130Js for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, six Navy Reserve KC-130Js, four LC-130J ski-equipped aircraft for the Air National Guard, and $100 million dedicated to fleetwide Diminishing Manufacturing Sources remediation.
According to IAM, the C-130J is described as a reliable airlifter with advanced operational capabilities and low life-cycle costs. The union says that supporting this program not only maintains thousands of high-quality jobs within their membership but also sustains more than 33,000 direct and indirect jobs across 497 suppliers in 38 states.
Bryant said in his letter, “The C-130J is the only U.S.-made airlifter currently in production. A stable and efficient C-130J production line is vital in supporting current and future Department of Defense and allied nation airlift requirements. In addition, the C-130J production line provides for thousands of high-quality IAM Union jobs at Lockheed Martin and across the nationwide supply chain.”
The union emphasized that continued congressional support is critical both for recapitalizing aging U.S. airlift fleets and sustaining employment along this important manufacturing supply chain.
