WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) met with Ohio Adjutant General Major General Deborah Ashenhurst to discuss upcoming priorities and long-term strategic planning for Ohio’s National Guard. At the meeting, Brown expressed his support for continued air missions at Springfield Air National Guard Base (ANGB).

“The men and women of the 178th Fighter Wing represent the best of the Ohio National Guard and I am thankful for their service to our state and nation,” Brown said. “Similar to any organization, it takes investment to retain and attract the best and the brightest. MG Ashenhurst and her team at the Ohio National Guard understand this and are taking the appropriate actions to ensure that Ohio’s National Guard is well suited for continued mission success. I look forward to working with MG Ashenhurt in supporting these efforts and ensuring continued missions and expanded operations at Springfield Air Base.”

In September 2013, Brown pressed the nominee for the Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, about the importance of expanding the mission at Springfield ANGB. In July 2013, Brown sent a letter to General Dennis McCarthy, chair of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force encouraging the commission to use Ohio as a model for the rest of nation. Brown explained that Ohio’s unique mix of active, reserve, and Guard units offer the Commission a case study from which to apply its lessons to other states across the country.

At today’s meeting, Brown was joined by Major General Mark Bartman, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Brigadier General John Harris, Assistant Adjutant General for Army. Ohio is home to more than 5,000 air guardsmen and women, and six Air Force bases including, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Springfield Air National Guard Base, the Toledo Air National Guard Base, and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

Brown is the only Ohio Senator to serve a full term on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and is Co-Chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus.

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