×

YARS to get $8.7M to widen runway

VIENNA — Congress has approved a bill with $8.7 million in it to widen an assault runway at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

The Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday with the House supporting it last week. The bill includes the funding for the airbase project.

The project will widen the runway necessary to support C-17 and C-130 aircraft and help ensure the long-term viability of the air station, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, said .

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, said: “Currently, due to scheduling delays, clogged runways and increased costs due to the required fuel consumption, YARS aircraft and crews must travel to Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina to perform required training landings.”

He added: “This funding will allow our YARS servicemen and women to conduct this vital training in the Mahoning Valley. As the largest employer in Trumbull County, YARS has had a significant economic impact on the region, deployed its resources to those in need across the globe and defended the values we hold dearest as Americans.”

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, said: “Widening the runway at Youngstown Air Reserve Station is a crucial investment in the infrastructure that will improve training and highlight how important the Mahoning Valley is to our national defense. These critical upgrades help to support those who have sworn to protect us.”

YARS is the home of the 910th Airlift Wing, the Department of Defense’s only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray unit.

Meanwhile, the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport will receive $250,000 in federal funds over the next five years from the federal infrastructure act. The money can be used for improvement and replacement projects.

news@vindy.com

YARS to get $8.7M to widen runway

VIENNA — Congress has approved a bill with $8.7 million in it to widen an assault runway at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

The Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday with the House supporting it last week. The bill includes the funding for the airbase project.

The project will widen the runway necessary to support C-17 and C-130 aircraft and help ensure the long-term viability of the air station, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, said: “Currently, due to scheduling delays, clogged runways and increased costs due to the required fuel consumption, YARS aircraft and crews must travel to Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina to perform required training landings.”

He added: “This funding will allow our YARS servicemen and women to conduct this vital training in the Mahoning Valley. As the largest employer in Trumbull County, YARS has had a significant economic impact on the region, deployed its resources to those in need across the globe and defended the values we hold dearest as Americans.”

YARS is the home of the 910th Airlift Wing, the Department of Defense’s only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray unit.

Starting at $3.23/week.

Subscribe Today