By: Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
On July 10, the 180th Fighter Wing officially broke ground on two new facilities that will enhance their ability to carry out its mission. Those facilities include new hangers to support the federal aerospace control alert (ACA) and the deployment processing facility. Both of these projects have been supported by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce through our advocacy efforts with state and federal officials.
The contributions of the 180th extend beyond its military service. The 180th contributes more than $110M to our local economy and nearly 1,400 men and women are assigned to the unit. They are our neighbors, and in many cases, also are employed elsewhere in the community.
The ACA hangers are a $9M project to replace temporary hangers that were built nearly 10 years ago and have exceeded their normal life expectancy to house F-16s that are ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The ACA mission is critical to our region and nation. Nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population resides within a 600-mile radius of Toledo. It is the mission of the 180th to protect and defend the airspace from threats to critical infrastructures, including an extensive interstate highway system, one of the most active railroad centers in the country, and one of the largest seaports on the Great Lakes. Since the mission arrived at the 180th, the ACA has responded to more than 200 events, totaling more than 600 flying hours in support of Operation Noble Eagle. These aircraft shelters will ensure the longevity of this vital mission in protecting the homeland and significantly contributing to the nation’s air superiority.
The ACA hangers are a $9M project to replace temporary hangers that were built nearly 10 years ago and have exceeded their normal life expectancy to house F-16s that are ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The ACA mission is critical to our region and nation. Nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population resides within a 600-mile radius of Toledo. It is the mission of the 180th to protect and defend the airspace from threats to critical infrastructures, including an extensive interstate highway system, one of the most active railroad centers in the country, and one of the largest seaports on the Great Lakes. Since the mission arrived at the 180th, the ACA has responded to more than 200 events, totaling more than 600 flying hours in support of Operation Noble Eagle. These aircraft shelters will ensure the longevity of this vital mission in protecting the homeland and significantly contributing to the nation’s air superiority.
The other significant project is the construction of the new deployment processing facility. This project is jointly funded with $2.5 million from the State of Ohio through the Military Facilities Commission and $1.25 million in federal funds for design and construction. This is only the second time that combined state and federal funds have been used to construct a facility on an Air National Guard installation by a state agency, which will then be gifted back to the federal government from the State of Ohio. This facility will enhance the 180th’s ability to deploy across the world. In 2018, the dedicated men and women of the 180th deployed more than 500 Airmen and 200 tons of equipment to 14 locations across the world to places like Estonia, Germany, Qatar, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Serbia, Jordan, Hungary, Israel and Antarctica.
These projects which are expected to be completed in 2020, and other accomplishments, would not have been possible without the dedicated men and women of the 180th Fighter Wing. These individuals have received strong support from local, state and federal elected officials, the region’s business community, and the region as a whole.
Learn more about the 180th at https://www.180fw.ang.af.mil/.
These projects which are expected to be completed in 2020, and other accomplishments, would not have been possible without the dedicated men and women of the 180th Fighter Wing. These individuals have received strong support from local, state and federal elected officials, the region’s business community, and the region as a whole.
Learn more about the 180th at https://www.180fw.ang.af.mil/.
 | Brian Dicken As the Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Brian oversees the Chamber’s advocacy and public policy efforts with local, state and Federal governments. With nearly 20 years of experience, he has held positions in state government in the offices of the Ohio Lt. Governor, Ohio Auditor of State and Ohio Treasurer of State. He also worked for the late U.S. Representative Paul Gillmor and in the Office of the Vice President of the United States. |
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