New Planes Ordered for National Guard

Congress has approved spending $208 million to purchase two new C-130 airplanes for the Air National Guard based in Ventura County, officials said Wednesday.

The aircraft will be used to fight wildfires in California and the West, according to a statement from the office of Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley).

The Air National Guard and Army Reserves have been using several older planes to fight fires.

“When we ask our National Guard to undertake the extremely dangerous job of protecting our lives and property, we must also ensure that they have equipment that is safe and functional,” Gallegly said in his statement.

Brig. Gen. John E. Iffland, who praised Gallegly’s effort to push the purchases through Congress, said much of the Guard’s equipment is 20 years old. Iffland said the older equipment has “endangered” soldiers and civilians. Neither plane was included in President Clinton’s budget.

Iffland credited Gallegly with recognizing the need to upgrade the Air National Guard’s fleet of airplanes.

“[Gallegly] saw the problem, recognized its impact on the community and flat out made it happen,” Iffland said.

Congress also approved spending $12 million to purchase the Shortstop Electronic Protection System from Condor Systems Inc., a technology firm in Simi Valley. The Shortstop system helps detonate incoming artillery, mortars and rockets before they can harm troops.