August 2, 2012

Brown Secures “Strategic Pause” For Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Defense Appropriations Bill; Measure Would Preserve Planes and Personnel in the Mahoning Valley For at Least an Additional Year

As a Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Brown Pushed to Ensure Preservation of 12 Planes and Corresponding Personnel During Committee Consideration of Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure a “strategic pause” for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) in the Senate Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations bill. The Air Force had proposed a shift in aircraft that would have resulted in a loss of two C-130 aircraft at the Station. The measure, if enacted, will preserve the current number of C-130 planes and personnel at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) for at least an additional year.

“By operating fixed-wing sprayers, the 910^th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station has a one-of-a-kind mission, often helping to assist in domestic disaster relief,” Brown said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was proud to vote to secure the strategic pause for the Youngstown Air Reserve Station—if enacted, this bill will help preserve the 12 planes and personnel that make up the 910^th Airlift Wing. I will continue to fight to ensure that the men and women of YARS, and their vital mission, are protected in the final bill signed by the President.”

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