USAF confirmed today that Savannah and the Georgia Air National Guard is on track to receive new, strategic C-130J planes
USAF decision follows Senator Warnock’s efforts to apply pressure on senior Air Force department leaders to not divert C-130J planes that were promised to Savannah Air National Guard Base
Savannah Air National Guard Base home to important 165th Air Wing, which is currently flying older C-130H planes for tactical airlift, airdrop missions
Senator Warnock also previously pressed this issue with Acting Air Force Secretary Roth
ICYMI—Fox 28 Savannah: “Sen. Warnock urges national security leaders to keep investment in Savannah Air National Guard Base” – MORE HERE
Senator Warnock: “I’m going to keep fighting to make sure our servicemembers and military communities are getting the support they need from Washington to protect our country and local jobs”
Senator Ossoff: “The men and women of the 165th Air Wing have the deep gratitude of all Georgians for their vital work defending our nation”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) confirmed today that the Savannah Air Guard Base and Georgia Air Guard are on track to receive several new, strategic C-130J planes, which has been a priority for the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, as well as Georgia’s Air National Guard and the Coastal Georgia defense community. The decision follows a commitment from the federal government made to Georgia to replace the base’s aging C-130H airplane fleet with more modern C-130J aircraft, and comes after Senator Warnock urged senior national security leaders to reconsider any proposal that would reverse or amend the federal government’s decision to modernize the air fleet at the Savannah Air National Guard Base.
“I’m glad the federal government listened to Georgians, and is planning to keep its promise to the Savannah Air National Guard Base and the brave men and women serving at the Georgia Air National Guard,” Senator Warnock said. “These modern aircraft, which are also built in Georgia, can’t come quickly enough to support critical national security missions out of our state, and I’m going to keep fighting to make sure our servicemembers and military communities are getting the support they need from Washington to protect our country and local jobs.”
“Senator Rev. Warnock and I are pleased to announce the Air Force today confirmed that Savannah Air National Guard Base will be the home to new C-130J aircraft. The men and women of the 165th Air Wing have the deep gratitude of all Georgians for their vital work defending our nation,” Senator Ossoff said.
A vocal champion for locating the C-130Js in Savannah, Senator Warnock had previously advocated for this decision, underscoring in a letter to senior USAF officials the importance of the Savannah Air Guard Base and its 165th Air Wing to the nation’s national security priorities, including performing domestic and international tactical airlift and airdrop missions. Senator Warnock also appealed directly to Acting USAF Secretary John Roth on this issue in April, strongly encouraging the Air Force to honor the commitment of the previous administration to modernize the Georgia Air National Guard C-130Js; Savannah had previously been named as one of the next to receive the modern aircraft as the planes were procured, designated as Main Operating Base 6 (“MOB 6”)—an announcement that was confirmed by today’s decision.
The Georgia Air National Guard is a key asset in the United States’ national security infrastructure and plays a critical role in the nation’s defense, including: executing successful combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; providing support to overseas contingencies in Europe; conducting humanitarian missions to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria; and supporting crucial homeland security operations, including the 2021 presidential inauguration. Pending the environmental analysis of Savannah, expected to be completed in Spring of 2022, the action will be finalized, and the aircraft will be relocated to the Savannah base when procured.
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