Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
October 6, 2022 | Press Releases
COLUMBUS, OH – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited the 121st Air Refueling Wing, located at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, as the first stop of this fall’s Ohio defense tour. During his visit, Portman received an update on the Air Wing’s current mission set, KC-135 modernization, and other opportunities. After the update, Senator Portman had the chance to take the controls and pilot a refueling tanker in a KC-135 flight simulator.
“Thank you to Major General John Harris, Colonel Scott Lerdon and the rest of the command of the 121st Air Wing for hosting us and for the update on their current mission set,” said Portman. “It was great to be able to test the KC-135 flight simulator during our visit. I was proud to lead efforts to have it located at Rickenbacker Air base and see how it is the perfect place for it be to located. I am proud of the men and women of the 121st who maintain a high level of readiness to perform an array of important homeland and national security missions, ranging from aerial refueling to expeditionary medical services.”
During his time in Congress, Senator Portman has worked to increase the range of capabilities for military installations throughout Ohio, create jobs and opportunity for Ohio’s servicemembers, and strengthen our national security. In 2016, Portman led the Ohio delegation in requesting the commander of Air Mobility Command select Rickenbacker to be the location of a KC-135 air refueling simulator, which was ultimately a successful effort.
Rickenbacker was the first stop of the Senator’s multi-week tour of Ohio defense installations to see first-hand projects that he has advocated for. These assets provide significant jobs and economic impact across Ohio and positively influence the national security of our country. A 2021 JobsOhio study found that Ohio defense spending accounts for more than 380,500 direct and indirect jobs, more than a $39 billion statewide economic impact and accounts for almost 6 percent of Ohio’s economy.
“While this is my last term, I continuing to advocate on behalf of our Ohio defense installations and visits like this are essential,” said Portman. “I am working with my colleagues to pass the FY23 NDAA as well as DoD and military construction appropriation bills before the end of the year. It is important to go back to DC and continue to fight to properly fund and support programs like these that benefit Ohio’s economy and help keep Americans safe.”
Photos from the visit can be found below:
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