WASHINGTON D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today reacted to reports that the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) will get a new mission comprised of eight C-130 cargo/transport planes.  MANG currently runs a critical F-15 fighter jet mission.  In 2011, three unit citations of excellence were awarded, the first time in history that every unit in a state received these awards in the same year.

“The men and women who serve in the Montana Air National Guard are the best in the country.  Instead of another mission swap that may or may not leave MANG in a better position, we should do the right thing and reward hard work and dedication with more responsibility.  This constant horse trading is bad for national security, bad for the Montana Air National Guard, and bad for the community in Great Falls.  It’s time for not only mission stability, but expansion as well.  MANG has done amazing work with the F-15s and there’s no justification for the money and infrastructure that will be wasted sending them to Fresno.  I’m going to fight to keep those in Montana where they belong.  And let’s take the C-130s too.  We’ve earned them, and our track record speaks for itself.  Let’s stop settling for mission cuts when what we deserve is a promotion.”

In 2011, all three MANG missions were given awards of excellence:

• 120th Fighter Wing: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
• 219th Red Horse Squadron: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
• Montana Joint Force Headquarters: Air Force Organization Excellence Award