MANSFIELD, OHIO – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded today’s arrival of two C-130H Hercules planes to the Mansfield Air National Guard Base (ANGB). In March, Brown announced that ANGB would receive a new mission and eight C-130H planes from the Air Force, resulting in the creation of over 180 jobs for the base. Today at 5:00 pm, the first two of those planes will arrive at the 179th Airlift Wing.

“The arrival of these new planes should make those who serve in the Mansfield Air National Guard and the citizens of North-Central Ohio very proud. Their commitment to keeping the Mansfield base open and finding it a new mission is what brought two new C-130H planes here today. These planes will help ensure Lahm remains an economic driver in the region and a critical hub in our nation’s security.”

On August 1, 2012, White House spokesman Josh Earnest stated that President Obama was “committed to working with the Department of Defense to find a mission for Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base.”

In February Brown met with then secretary of defense nominee Senator Chuck Hagel. During the meeting, Brown pressed Sec. Hagel on his support for a new mission at Mansfield Lahm and reminded him of President Obama’s “Commitment” to the base and finding it a new mission.

Brown has consistently fought for the Mansfield Base and the jobs it supports. Brown helped secure funding for the construction of the new $6.8 million RED HORSE facility at the base, which supports the administration, operations, logistics, and training of a 202-member self-sustaining heavy construction unit. The Armed Forces Reserve Center is a new, $16 million facility used for administrative, storage, and training purposes. It also houses the 3rd Platoon of the Army Reserve 486th Engineers.

Brown visited the base in October 2011 to tour the new Armed Forces Reserve Center and Rapid Engineers Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) facility. He also visited the base in August 2010 to celebrate a new mission for the 179th Airlift Wing.

In 2005, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) recommended that the 179th Airlift Wing be dismantled.  The base’s service record, along with actions taken by the Ohio Congressional delegation, kept the base open and transformed it into a joint base. Brown has worked with the White House, Ohio Congressional Delegation, Administration officials and Air Force and National Guard personnel to secure the new mission for the Mansfield ANGB.     

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