On Friday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited the Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, home to the 179th Airlift Wing, where he met with Wing leadership and the Airmen currently serving at the installation.
The 179AW helps transport strategic movement of personnel and cargo through the U.S. and the world and participates in disaster relief efforts and other domestic emergencies as required.
In August, Portman joined the Ohio Congressional Delegation in a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force expressing support for the 179th Airlift Wing’s proposed transition to the Information Warfare Wing/Cyberspace Wing mission.
“The 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield is among the most highly regarded National Guard units in the Air National Guard. It was great to be back in Mansfield to meet with Colonel Thomas, General Camp and the fine airmen and women who call this base home.” said Portman.
“I am pleased that the Air Force has designated Ohio’s Mansfield-Lahm Air National Guard Base as its preferred location for a new Information Warfare Wing mission. This is a testament to the integrity and tradition of excellence that has come to define the men and women of the 179th Airlift Wing. I will continue to fight to ensure the 179th has the resources it needs to carry out its mission and keep our nation safe.
Portman also was excited to share data from a recent study released by JobsOhio that shows the 179th has a $122.5 million dollar economic impact on the local area. There are currently 2,535 jobs, both direct and indirect, tied to the base, with $61 million in payroll. With the addition of 175 new Airmen with the Information Warfare Wing, those jobs and economic impact numbers will only continue to increase.
For the entire State of Ohio, Ohio’s military and federal installations account for 380,500 jobs, represent $69 billion in total economic impact, and accounts for 6 percent of Ohio’s total economy.
Source: Senator Rob Portman Office Press Release
