It will be the passing of an era Tuesday when the 139th Airlift Wing sends the first of its original, factory-fresh Hercules planes - which it has had since 1987 - to Arkansas.

"The first one's tough," said Lt. Col. Gordon Meyer, commander of the 139th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. However, the way Guard members got the aircraft ready for transfer does everyone proud, he added.

As part of base realignment and closure directives, the 139th Airlift Wing is rotating out its older C-130 aircraft to make way for newer, updated models with fewer flying hours. The Wing will trade its eight Lockheed C-130 type 2 models for 10 C-130 type 2.5 models that have improved electronic systems, spokeswoman Maj. Barb Denny said.

The current aircraft have been with the unit since coming off the Lockheed assembly line. The planes were involved in nearly every major U.S. military operation since Desert Storm in 1991, and several other operations that took flight crews on aid missions to Central and South America, Asia and Europe. The planes also provided support during disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

To commemorate the passing of an era, the Wing hosted an aircraft departure ceremony Friday. Guests included former Cmdrs. Ken Gabriel and Gene Davenport, along with retired Congresswoman Pat Danner.

The first plane to depart will be No. 1396, which carries the autograph of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was on a USO tour to Iraq, before being elected California's governor. The plane arrived at Rosecrans on June 13, 1987, with 8.2 flying hours and will depart Tuesday for Arkansas with 10,098.2 flying hours.

So far, three newer model aircraft have been received, with seven more to come during the next year.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.