The 130th AS is the group's flying unit and has operated the C-130H since early 1987. The unit was organized as the 130th Troop Carrier Squadron with the C-46D at Kanawha County Airport in October 1955, and added the SA-16A/B soon after. The squadron joined the 130th Troop Carrier Group in January 1962, with the U-10 added in 1963 followed by the C-119C. The designation was changed to 129th Air Commando Squadron in 1963 and Special Operations Squadron in 1968. The unit converted to the C-119G and later C-119L until October 1975, when the unit became a Tactical Airlift Squadron with the C-130E. The 130th served with the 1630th TAW (Provisional) at Al Ain, UAE during Desert Storm.