U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) announced Friday that their request for a Illinois National Guard project will be included in the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA passed out of the House Armed Services Committee with a bipartisan 57-2 vote, and included $10,200,000 for the 183d Wing Base project for the Illinois National Guard based in Springfield, Ill.
“This project is a top priority of our military leaders at the Illinois National Guard and I am proud to support their mission,” Davis said. “Congressman LaHood and I’s NDAA project request would fund a new Base Civil Engineer Complex for the 183d Wing of the Illinois National Guard. Our troops here in Central Illinois deserve to have a proper facility to meet their maintenance and preparedness needs. This project would support their important mission. I’m hopeful that this project will eventually be included in legislation that is signed into law and will continue to advocate on its behalf.”
The Congressmen said the funding would be used to construct a base civil engineer complex. Key to the project would be a maintenance shop that would include administrative offices, training classrooms, squadron commander and orderly room, structural/mechanical/electrical/pavements-equipment/utilities shops, and asset storage. The project also includes a maintenance shed and open storage for secure uncovered storage of material.
The 183d Fighter Wing supports a Centralized Repair Facility (CRF) for jet engine depot maintenance and Component Numbered Air Force (CNAF) missions.
“The men and women in the Illinois Air National Guard 183rd Wing deserve up to date resources to continue providing exceptional emergency response and support services,” LaHood said. “I was proud to work with Congressman Davis to ensure funding was included in the NDAA to help build and upgrade the Base Civil Engineer Complex for the 183rd. This funding will enhance training efforts, and modernize the facilities for better operations and maintenance productivity of our military. In Congress, I’ll continue to work with Rodney to ensure the men and women in the 183rd have the resources they need.”
The project was requested by the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Major General Richard Neely and has the approval of the Department of Defense. It also had the support of Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Executive Director Mark Hanna.