118th Airlift Wing Is Proven Commodity On The Battlefield

June 24, 2005, Reassigning the airplanes of the 118th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard based at Nashville International Airport to other bases is a misguided attempt by the Department of Defense to save money. In the past five years alone, $55 million has been spent making infrastructure improvements at the Nashville airport to support the mission of the 118th Airlift Wing.

Dismantling a unit that continues to play a vital role in this nation’s security doesn’t make a lot of sense. Of course, a lot of what goes on in Washington doesn’t make sense. This plan needs more scrutiny, and I will be asking tough questions over the next several months before it comes to Congress for approval.

The “Old Hickory Squadron” has been in Nashville since 1921. It has flown countless missions since then, including both wars in Iraq, as well as the one in Afghanistan. Those missions have proven that our citizen-soldiers of the 118th Airlift Wing provide a necessary and vital role in the ongoing war on terrorism.

The work these brave Tennesseans have done in Iraq and Afghanistan is nothing short of outstanding. They have logged thousands of overseas miles in support of these ongoing operations, ferrying troops and supplies all over the world. At least one of their planes helped transport the American Special Operations soldiers who raided the Iraqi hospital where the wounded Pfc. Jessica Lynch was being detained.

I’m all for efficiency, but dismantling an effective Air National Guard unit that contributes so much to our national security doesn’t seem like a smart move. The 118th Airlift Wing is not only an integral part of the state’s military infrastructure, but it is also a big part of the Mid-state’s economy, contributing $71 million annually in military and civilian payrolls and local contracts.

The Pentagon’s recommendations will now be reviewed by an independent commission appointed by the president. Then the recommendations will have to be approved by the president before he submits them to Congress.

I will be watching this process closely and will be suggesting the entire way that the 118th stay intact at Nashville’s Berry Field. In fact, I’ve already written the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee asking for a hearing to air my concerns about the Pentagon’s plan. At a time when this nation faces terrorism both here at home and abroad, we need to make sure our military remains strong and resilient. And the 118th Airlift Wing has proven its battle worthiness.