Richard Gresham

The 139th Airlift Wing, part of the Missouri Air National Guard, was established in 1962 and is based at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri. Originally activated as a tactical fighter group, the unit transitioned to an airlift mission in the 1960s, becoming a key operator of the C-130 Hercules aircraft. Over the decades, the 139th has supported a wide array of missions, including domestic disaster response, humanitarian relief, and combat airlift operations in conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Renowned for its expertise in tactical airlift and international training, the wing continues to play a vital role in both national defense and global humanitarian missions.