Durbin and Obama Continue to Push for New Flying Mission at Springfield 183rd
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Printable FormatFor Immediate Release
Contact: Christina Mulka (Durbin) or Michael Ortiz (Obama)
New flying mission would secure Springfield firefighter unit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today urged the National Guard Bureau Chief, Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, to work with Air Force leaders to find a new flying mission for the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Illinois and maintain the National Guard firefighter unit at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
In their letter, Durbin and Obama also noted that the Air Force recently announced new flying missions for other units, such as the 179th Airlift Wing, which was also scheduled to lose its mission as a result of the 2005 BRAC. The 179th is scheduled to receive C-21 planes as a bridge mission - similar to the mission that the senators have been urging - until it receives its permanent planes.
"Earlier this year, the 179th Airlift Wing in Ohio received a new flying mission to replace the mission they will be losing. We have asked for a similar mission to keep together the great flying team in Springfield," said Durbin. "I am encouraged by the support that I have received from Lieutenant General Blum in the past. Today, Senator Obama and I are asking him to join us as we increase our efforts to find a new mission at the 183rd that will help maintain the National Guard firefighter unit in Springfield."
"The expertise and capabilities of the 183rd Fighter Wing and its firefighter unit in Springfield are critical to the security of Illinois and the nation," said Senator Obama. "These Illinois Guard members provide invaluable support to our national security, readiness, emergency preparedness. I will continue working with Senator Durbin to secure a flying mission for the 183rd and maintain emergency response capabilities in our state."
In meetings with top level military officials, Durbin has repeatedly raised the need to find a new flying mission for the 183rd Fighter Wing and maintain the National Guard firefighter unit in
Springfield. Just last month, in separate meetings, Durbin discussed these issues with Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and the recently confirmed Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz. Additionally, Durbin discussed the issues with Blum and Lieutenant General Craig McKinley in a meeting on April 24.
The current Air National Guard mission involves F-16 aircraft which will begin leaving Springfield this month and be completely gone by October 1, 2008. Currently, the Air National Guard supports a more than 20-person fire fighting unit at Springfield that will its federal funding if a new mission is not found. The transfer of these planes to Indiana was part of the national Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) which Durbin and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation opposed.
text of the letter below
August 19, 2008
Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum
Chief, National Guard Bureau
1411 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington VA 22202
Dear General Blum:
The 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Illinois, is scheduled to lose the last of its F-16 planes by October 1 of this year, after flying missions for 60 years. We are writing to urge you to take further steps with the Air Force to assign a flying mission to the 183rd.
We are aware that the Air Force has announced new flying missions for other units, such as the 179th Airlift Wing, which was also scheduled to lose its mission as a result of the 2005 BRAC. The 179th is scheduled to receive C-21 planes as a bridge mission until it receives its permanent planes. As you know, we have asked for, and made the case for, a similar bridge mission for the 183rd.
If the Illinois Air National Guard loses a flying mission, it will also lose its firefighter unit at Springfield. The nation as a whole will lose the years of experience and training these Illinois Guard members have in firefighting, emergency medicine, and the handling of hazardous materials.
It is time to identify the new flying mission and, if necessary, a bridge plan that will prevent the loss of expertise that currently resides in the 183rd Fighter Wing. Your efforts to work with Air Force leaders to find that new flying mission for the 183rd are essential to the functioning of the unit. We would appreciate a prompt reply indicating what you will do to maintain the 183rd's flying mission.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
Barack Obama
United States Senator