Montana National Guard leaders and project leaders from MEB General Contractors Inc. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut a ribbon during a ceremony marking the opening of the new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls, Montana, Aug. 7, 2026. The new complex modernizes fueling infrastructure for the 120th Airlift Wing and supports the wing’s planned transition to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid)
Infrastructure Modernization: Montana National Guard Opens New POL Fuel Complex for C-130J Transition
Montana National Guard POL Fuel Complex: Montana National Guard dedicated a new petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) fuel complex at Great Falls ANGB on August 7, 2026.
C-130J Aircraft Conversion: Modernizes 70-year-old infrastructure to support the 120th Airlift Wing’s transition from C-130H to C-130J Super Hercules aircraft (requiring 6,750-gallon fuel tank capacity).
Doubled Resupply Flow Rate: Features a new double-fill stand delivering fuel truck resupply at rates up to 600 gallons per minute—twice the speed of the legacy facility.
Interagency Execution: Project delivered through multi-agency collaboration between USACE Seattle District, 120th Civil Engineer Squadron, 219th RED HORSE Squadron, Defense Logistics Agency, and MEB General Contractors.
Operational Transition: Final system alarm testing and integration scheduled through August, with full local refueling operations transitioning to the complex in September 2026.
Editor’s Note: The following is from the Montana Air National Guard, curated by America’s Engineers for commercial contractor and industry visibility. The original report can be found at the Montana National Guard news repository.
The Montana National Guard marked another step toward the 120th Airlift Wing’s transition to the C-130J Super Hercules Aug. 7 with the opening of a new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls.
U.S. Army Col. Eli Adams, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, delivers remarks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls, Montana, Aug. 7, 2026. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped oversee the project, which modernizes fueling infrastructure for the 120th Airlift Wing and supports its planned transition to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid)
The new complex replaces an approximately 70-year-old fuel system and provides modern infrastructure designed to improve fuel distribution, maintenance access and environmental protection while supporting the wing’s future aircraft requirements. The facility includes aboveground storage tanks, a constant-pressure system and updated testing and operations facilities.
“The new infrastructure drastically simplifies routine maintenance and enhances ecological safety,” said Col. Jason Green, commander of the 120th Airlift Wing.
The complex is part of the infrastructure modernization supporting the wing’s planned conversion from the C-130H Hercules to the C-130J Super Hercules. The new aircraft will provide increased cargo and passenger capacity and expand the wing’s capabilities for strategic airlift and airdrop operations. The C-130J’s larger, 6,750-gallon fuel tanks also increase fueling requirements, making the new complex an important part of preparing the wing for the transition.
Montana National Guard leaders and project leaders from MEB General Contractors Inc. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut a ribbon during a ceremony marking the opening of the new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls, Montana, Aug. 7, 2026. The new complex modernizes fueling infrastructure for the 120th Airlift Wing and supports the wing’s planned transition to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid)
To meet those requirements, the complex includes new jet fuel, gasoline and diesel systems and a dedicated POL operations building. New fuel lines and a double-fill stand allow fuel trucks to resupply at rates of up to 600 gallons per minute, approximately twice the rate of the previous system. The aboveground configuration also provides easier access for maintenance and future upgrades.
Brittan Schwarz, vice president of MEB General Contractors Inc., said the number of systems incorporated into the project set it apart from typical fuel facility construction.
“There are four big components to this project,” Schwarz said. “We do a lot of these systems throughout the U.S., but usually we’re only doing one or two of those. I would call this more of a brand-new fuel complex rather than just a fuel facility.”
Col. Jason Green, commander of the 120th Airlift Wing, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the wing’s new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls, Montana, Aug. 7, 2026. The new complex replaces an approximately 70-year-old fuel system and provides modernized infrastructure to support the wing’s planned transition to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid)
Construction of the complex required coordination among military, government and civilian organizations. The project brought together members of the Montana National Guard’s 120th Civil Engineer Squadron and 219th RED HORSE Squadron, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, the Defense Logistics Agency, MEB General Contractors and Calumet Montana Refining.
“When we were awarded the job, they relocated here and spent a lot of long days, weekends and a lot of sweat to get this project where it is,” Schwarz said.
Montana National Guard leaders and project partners formally dedicated the complex during the Aug. 7 ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project supporting the wing’s future mission.
While the ceremony marked the facility’s formal dedication, work continues to fully integrate the new systems. The 120th Maintenance Group POL flight will complete final system integrations and alarm testing before transitioning local refueling operations to the new complex in September.
The new complex provides the 120th Airlift Wing with updated fueling infrastructure to support current operations while preparing the Montana National Guard for the transition to the C-130J Super Hercules.
This article was originally published by the Montana National Guard under the title, “Montana National Guard opens new fuel complex, advances C-130J conversion.”
