WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation to preserve jobs and aircraft at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base (ANGB) cleared the Senate today. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today worked to ensure that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a provision that prohibits the Air Force from eliminating six KC-135 refueling tankers—that were previously slated for elimination by the Air Force—and ensure that they will remain at the Rickenbacker ANGB for at least an additional year.
“These tankers are critical to our national security and the livelihood of many central Ohio servicemembers,” Brown said. “This legislation will ensure that KC-135 tankers remain at Rickenbacker—preserving jobs for at least another year and providing time to come to a long-term solution.”
Brown has consistently stood against the proposals to eliminate the KC-135 tankers, which would affect hundreds of National Guard positions in Columbus. Brown worked with the Senate Armed Services Committee to ensure that funding for the planes was included in the NDAA bill passed by the committee and voted on by the full Senate today. The bill will also establish National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force to conduct a year-long, comprehensive analysis of Air Force needs. During that time, the Air Force is prohibited from retiring, divesting, or transferring aircraft, like the KC-135. In March, he convened a meeting between Members of the Ohio Congressional delegation and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley.
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