Articles

Contact: The Times Tribune - Staff Report

Corbin, KY, Dec 28, 2009 - By Staff Report, The Times Tribune

A U.S. House resolution signed by Pres. Barack Obama will provide $1.8 million to complete the Kentucky National Guard Joint Operations Support Center at Magee Field, London’s airport.

The appropriation was announced by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers of the fifth district.

“Equipping and staging our guardsmen so that they can respond in a moment’s notice is critical to protecting the Bluegrass State,” said Rogers. “The London Readiness Center gives the Kentucky National Guard a strategic outpost and operations center to meeting the counterdrug, emergency response, and mobilization challenges head on in our region. As we experienced this past spring, as some of our counties and communities were ravaged by rising waters and flash floods, help can never be too close to home.”

This funding will provide two additional aircraft storage buildings at the London Readiness Center. At the conclusion of this project, the unit will be able to respond quicker and in a much more efficient manner. Since 2006, Rogers has secured over $13 million for the Readiness Center which serves as a regional outpost for training, recruitment, public safety, and counter-drug activities throughout southern and eastern Kentucky. The location, immediately off Interstate 75 and accessible to London’s airport, reduces the logistical demands of the Guard fulfilling its key mission of emergency preparedness. With the new facility, the Guard can more effectively respond to security threats as well as floods, fires, and other potential natural disasters.