$11.4 Million Approved for Air Guard Construction at Mansfield Lahm
July 10, 2009
Funding requested by Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) to house a new Air National Guard engineer squadron at Mansfield Lahm Airport was approved by the House of Representatives today.
The $11.4 million provision is included in the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which was approved by a 415 to 3 vote today.
The funding will be put toward the construction of facilities to house a 200-person detachment of the 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) Squadron activated at Mansfield Lahm last year.
"This is fantastic news for Mansfield and the region," Jordan said. "Mansfield's RED HORSE detachment needs modern facilities to facilitate training and mobilization efforts."
RED HORSE units provide heavy repair and construction functions where land-based forces are not available or practical. These self-sufficient air-based units are designed for rapid deployment to remote, high-threat environments.
As Jordan noted in letters earlier this year to the House Appropriations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, the 200th RED HORSE detachment currently operates out of facilities that are too small and not configured for its mission. As a result, important training missions are often postponed, resulting in a reduced level of readiness.
Legislation authorizing the funding request was passed by the House last month. Jordan said that he will work to protect the funds as the Senate proceeds with work on the legislation.
The $11.4 million provision is included in the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which was approved by a 415 to 3 vote today.
The funding will be put toward the construction of facilities to house a 200-person detachment of the 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) Squadron activated at Mansfield Lahm last year.
"This is fantastic news for Mansfield and the region," Jordan said. "Mansfield's RED HORSE detachment needs modern facilities to facilitate training and mobilization efforts."
RED HORSE units provide heavy repair and construction functions where land-based forces are not available or practical. These self-sufficient air-based units are designed for rapid deployment to remote, high-threat environments.
As Jordan noted in letters earlier this year to the House Appropriations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, the 200th RED HORSE detachment currently operates out of facilities that are too small and not configured for its mission. As a result, important training missions are often postponed, resulting in a reduced level of readiness.
Legislation authorizing the funding request was passed by the House last month. Jordan said that he will work to protect the funds as the Senate proceeds with work on the legislation.