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Defense bill will benefit Vienna air station

VIENNA — A defense policy bill that contains language to prioritize upgrades to C-130 Hercules aircraft at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station was approved Thursday in the U.S. Senate.

The amendment contained in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act encourages the U.S. Air Force to act on the upgrades by requiring it to prioritize upgrades to the new C-130 J Super Hercules, which the reserve station needs for its special mission, according to a joint release from U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio.

The legislation, when passed into law, “would aid in addressing a critical need for our mission capabilities,” said Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr., 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs superintendent.

The 910th Airlift Wing, which has eight C-130s, is the U.S. Department of Defense’s only large area fixed-wing aerial spray unit. It’s used to control insects, undesirable vegetation and to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water.

“Our C-130H fleet is aging and in just a few years new aviation regulations will prevent us from flying in areas of air space over the United States and Europe. Modernization or recapitalization would allow us to continue our airlift and aerial spray missions without interruption,” Barko said.

Based on the cost of modernization, replacing the old planes with the Super Hercules is a “more fiscally responsible course of action” and keeps the 910th and the reserve station a “viable and valued defense asset far into the future,” Barko said.

The updates are “key” to maintaining jobs in the Mahoning Valley and supporting the missions at the station, said Brown.

“We’ve been pushing for modernization of this fleet for years, and this amendment will call on the Air Force to get to work updating these aircraft so YARS can continue its critical missions,” said Brown.

The vote “marks real progress” in the effort to modernize the fleet, Portman said.

“C-130 modernization will enhance the 910th’s ability to carry out a range of important national and homeland security missions, including its unique aerial spray mission. Our amendment puts YARS in a better position to receive upgraded aircraft,” Portman said.

The U.S. House approved the legislation Dec. 2.

U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-Howland, who supported the measure, said the amendment dovetails with a provision he has in the defense appropriations subcommittee that directs the Air Force to prioritize units with the oldest equipment when deciding which specialty missions to upgrade.

It now moves onto President Barack Obama for his consideration.

rselak@tribtoday.com

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