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183 FW granted one-year mission extension
July 17, 2009 (by
Asif Shamim) -
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office announced on Thursday the 183rd FW was being granted a one year extension to its current mission at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport maintaining F-16s.
The one-year extension means the airport will also keep its National Guard firefighter unit, and 18 full-time employees till September 2010.
The Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt, informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing’s F-16 maintenance mission which will keep open the option to find a permanent flying mission at Springfield.
Securing a permanent flying mission for the 183rd has been a top priority for the city as well.
"This continuing maintenance work will allow Capitol Airport to maintain the National Guard firefighters and firefighting equipment for another year," Durbin said in the release. "This is welcome news, as these highly skilled firefighters are critical to Springfield's ability to handle an emergency".
The last of about 17 F-16 fighter jets left the Illinois Air National Guard base last fall as part of a federal base realignment. The unit has since picked up an engine-repair role.
"This is great news for Springfield, those who use our airport and for the 183rd Firefighters," said Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin. "By extending the maintenance mission, we will have a greater opportunity to solidify support for the assignment of a new permanent flying mission for the 183rd."
USAF F-16C block 30 #87-0386 and several other 183rd FW aircraft share the hangar with the Thunderbirds when a strong thunderstorm approached the airport. The Thunderbirds had just finished their show. [Photo by MSgt. Dale Jensen]
The Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt, informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing’s F-16 maintenance mission which will keep open the option to find a permanent flying mission at Springfield.
Securing a permanent flying mission for the 183rd has been a top priority for the city as well.
"This continuing maintenance work will allow Capitol Airport to maintain the National Guard firefighters and firefighting equipment for another year," Durbin said in the release. "This is welcome news, as these highly skilled firefighters are critical to Springfield's ability to handle an emergency".
The last of about 17 F-16 fighter jets left the Illinois Air National Guard base last fall as part of a federal base realignment. The unit has since picked up an engine-repair role.
"This is great news for Springfield, those who use our airport and for the 183rd Firefighters," said Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin. "By extending the maintenance mission, we will have a greater opportunity to solidify support for the assignment of a new permanent flying mission for the 183rd."
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