Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
October 14, 2022 | Press Releases
DAYTON, OH – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) visited the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he received briefings from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) and the newly formed National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC). NSIC is a new component to Wright Patterson that was activated on June 22, 2022, and is the Intelligence Center for the U.S. Space Force. Portman also visited the Air Force Research Lab.
“I want to thank the folks at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for hosting me and providing a briefing on how new threats and opportunities will affect their mission,” said Portman. “It was inspiring to see all the important work done at the base. I will continue to advocate for all of Ohio’s defense installations through the rest of my term in the Senate so they can continue their work to keep all Americans safe.”
In November 2020, Portman participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Intelligence Production Complex, a 250,000 square foot, five-story building with room for over 900 employees, an effort to modernize NASIC’s facilities. Portman worked to ensure that the funding for NASIC’s needs were met through the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
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. Portman is currently conducting a multi-week tour of Ohio defense installations to see first-hand projects for which he has advocated. These assets provide jobs and economic growth 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.
This visit is the sixth stop of Portman’s defense tour across Ohio. Last Wednesday, Portman visited the 121st Air Refueling Wing, located at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, and the Ohio-based Battelle where Portman took a tour of their PFAS Annihilator which they are collaborating with federal agencies on. On Friday, Portman visited the 180th Fighter Wing at the Toledo Air National Guard Base and NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility. Portman also visited the Springfield Air National Guard 178th Intelligence & Reconnaissance Wing.
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