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143RD AIRLIFT WING

Cranston, Rhode Island (Get Directions)
The 143rd Airlift Wing's C-130 Hercules mission is to perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 performs a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.

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State Benefits

The Air Guard offers a regular paycheck, tuition assistance and more. Benefits include money for education through the Montgomery G.I. Bill, a military retirement plan, affordable health and life insurance – even access to free space-available air travel.
STATE BENEFITS
Education Benefits
State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP): This program is available to all Army and Air National Guard service members (enlisted and officer) who are pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, Masters Degree, or certification from CCRI, RIC, or URI. STAP covers up to 5 tuition-free classes per Fall and/or Spring semesters, not to exceed 12 credits per semester. Previously paid funds cannot be reimbursed. Please submit your RING Form STA 30-3 (Revised 1 Oct 02) application to the education office after you register for your courses. STAP can be used in conjunction with Montgomery G.I. Bill. State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP): This program is available to all Army and Air National Guard service members (enlisted and officer) who are pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, Masters Degree, or certification from CCRI, RIC, or URI with in-state tuition rates. STEP covers 1 tuition-free course per Summer semester, not to exceed 2 courses a year. STEP can only be used based on seat availability. You must get a STEP certificate from the Education Office before registering for your class(es). STEP can be used with Montgomery G.I. Bill.
Group Insurance
Yes
Injury Death Benefits
State employees: 15 days miitaryl leave/yr. Guard license plate available to drilling and retired members.
Medical Benefits
None
Miscellaneous
See Workers' Comp.
Reimbursement
State Active Duty: Approved expenses
State Tax Advantage
See Workers' Comp.
Workers Compensation
None
SEE NATIONAL BENEFITS

National Benefits

Members of the Air Guard receive a variety of educational and other military benefits.
NATIONAL BENEFITS
Base Post Exchange
Yes. Unlimited
Base Post Facilities
Yes. Unlimited
Base Post Theater
Yes. Unlimited
Burial Flag
Yes
Commissary
Unlimited use of commissary.
Education Benefits

Federal education benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill are available to most unit members provided they enlist for 6 years. These benefits are available to our members after completion of basic training and technical school. This program is a non-contributory benefit, meaning no payment or reduction in pay is required to receive these benefits. Federal benefits received: Montgomery GI Bill chapter 1606; up to $333 per month to offset college cost of attending college fulltime. Other Air National Guard Education Benefits for members enlisting for six years in a critical skills job may be available based on current incentive programs.  These benefits include: Montgomery GI Bill kicker up to $350 per month for full-time college enrollment, Student loan repayment program; up to $20,000 paid throughout enlistment. If you have prior military service and elected the active duty MGIB, you may still take advantage of this benefit up to a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits at the full-time rate. Find more information on the Montgomery GI Bill Rates here.

Legal Assistance
Limited
Military Burial Assistance
Yes
Military Clothing Sales Stores
Yes. Unlimited
Military Death Gratuity
Yes
Military Medical Dental
Medical, only if duty-related
Military Recreation Facilities
Yes
Military Red Cross Assistance
No
Official Library Services
Yes
Pay And Allowances

Basic pay (4 days for working 1 weekend). Non prior service enlisted members will start off between E-1 -E-3 (Airman Basic - Airman First Class). New officers that have never been in the military before start as an O-1 (2nd Lieutenant). Medical Professionals may come at a higher rank based on experience and education. The military pay scale can be viewed here.

Retirement Points

1 per drill period, 2 per day for a drill weekend. 1 per day for annual training or additional active Duty days performed throughout the year. More information can be found here.

Sgli Medical Dental
Yes. Up to $400,000. Nominal fee
Space Available Travel
Continental U.S., to include, Hi, Ak, PR, VI, GU
Survivor Benefit Plan
Yes, with 20 years service, if elected
Transient Billeting
Yes
Tricare Medical Dental

The Member is covered for Duty-related medical Dental conditions through TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), the only dental plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) for National Guard/Reserve sponsors and their families.  With the TDP, you will enjoy a nationwide network of more than 65,000 participating dentists, high-quality customer service and comprehensive dental coverage designed specifically with you in mind! Find more information on the TRICARE Dental Program here.

For Activated or members  serving on Active Duty for 30 days or longer medical coverage is provided/available for member and family until completion of Active Duty orders. Coverage continues for  180 days  after being released from active status if activated in support of a contingency operation.

For Traditional Part Time members, TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based health plan available worldwide to Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve (and their families) who are not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  

Key Features include:
• Comprehensive health coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra (in the U.S.) or TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Standard (overseas)
• Two types of coverage available: TRS member-only and TRS member-and-family
• Freedom to access covered services from any TRICARE authorized provider or hospital
• Access to military treatment facility (MTF) care on a space-available basis

Find more information on the TRICARE Reserve Select here.

Va Medical Dental
If injury/illness sustained in line of duty
VGLI Veteran Life Insurance
Yes, after retirement
Wearing Of Uniform
As required
SEE MISSION

Mission

The 143rd Airlift Wing is located in Rhode Island and is primarily involved in the C-130 Hercules Mission.
MISSION
Plane
C-130 Hercules
The C-130 Hercules primary mission is to perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 performs a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service and natural disaster relief missions.
This unit has the following related Missions:
This unit has the following careers available: