June 25, 2019

Duckworth & Durbin Push for Flying Mission at Springfield’s 183d Wing

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which the Senate is currently debating – that would return Springfield’s 183d Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, to flying status. The Senators’ amendment would authorize the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force to transfer A-10, F-16, F-15E/X or F-35 aircraft to the Wing. The Wing flew F-16s until 2005, but now serves as the centralized repair facility for F-16 engines and as an Air Operations Group. Duckworth is a Combat Veteran who served in the Illinois National Guard and is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Durbin is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

“Springfield’s 183d Wing has a long history of flying missions to protect our nation dating back to 1948,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to file this important amendment with Senator Durbin that would make sure the 183d Wing flies once again, and I’ll keep working alongside the Illinois National Guard on this issue.”

“We must continue to support the future of the 183rd Wing by finding ways for the Air National Guard to benefit both from the installation’s potential and its proven record of success,” Durbin said. “I’m proud to join Senator Duckworth on this amendment because we want to make sure the Wing remains a priority in the eyes of the Department of Defense.”

Duckworth discussed transitioning the 183d Wing back to a flying mission with Brigadier General Richard Neely, the 40th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, earlier this month. A photo of the meeting is available here. The 183d Wing is stationed at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Air National Guard Station in Springfield, Illinois.

The NDAA authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), sets our nation’s defense policy and ensures that our servicemembers have the tools they need to defend our nation.

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