SWANTON, OH —U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton today. Brown was joined by Maj Gen Deborah Ashenhurst, Adjutant General, Ohio National Guard; Dr. Mark Wayda, Vice Chief of Joint Staff, Ohio National Guard; and Col Craig Baker, who recently took over command of the 180th Fighter Wing.

“As one of the finest fighter units in the country, the men and women of this base stand ready at a moment’s notice to deploy anywhere in the world,” Brown said. “This base is vital to Northwest Ohio’s and our country’s economy and security. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring that this base remains an economic anchor in Northwest Ohio.”

The base was recently designated an “Active Associated Unit,” the first in the history of the Ohio National Guard. While the base has already generated more than $110 million into the economy in the last year, this new designation will also lower military personnel costs and produce a more ready, capable force. Additionally, the 180th Fighter Wing is home to the largest solar field in the State, and the largest on any National Guard base in the country, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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