Air Force officials said the military branch has selected Ohio’s Mansfield-Lahm Air National Guard Base as the preferred venue for a new Cyber Warfare Wing mission.
Officials said the transformation would support Air Combat Command’s future requirements — resulting in operational mission changes that include an increase of approximately 175 Airmen and associated infrastructure support.
Additionally, the Air Force is seeking to retire eight C-130H Hercules from its 179th Airlift Wing inventory in accordance with its fiscal year 2022 budget. The 179th AW has been flying the C-130H since 1991.
“Retiring these legacy aircraft will create the fiscal and manpower flexibility required to design and field the future force needed to meet national defense requirements,” Lt. Gen. David Nahom, Plans and Programs deputy chief of staff, said.
Authorities acknowledged congressional approval is needed to execute the aircraft retirement initiative, as well as resource the 179th AW as part of the conversion to a Cyber Warfare Wing.
The 179th Airlift Wing transports personnel and cargo throughout the United States and globally while the 179AW participates in disaster relief efforts and other domestic emergencies — deploying to overseas bases when needed.