 In 1975 the Flying Boxcars were retired, the 130th received the far more capable C-130E Hercules transport, and the unit was redesignated as a "Tactical Airlift" unit.The transition to the C-130 moved the gaining organization from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command with the primary mission of the Group becoming tactical airlift, with the Special Operations mission becoming secondary with the end of the Vietnam War.A model upgrade to the C-130H in 1986 was completed and in August and September 1990, the 130th TAG commanded a "volunteer" package of 16 C-130s and support personnel from WV, TN, TX, MO and DE ANG units in support of Operation Desert Shield.