Kaptur Praises 180th Fighter Wing on WSPD
June 18, 2012
TOLEDO – Congresswoman Kaptur, a guest on the “Business Blackboard” program on WSPD-AM (Toledo), called the 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Express Airport “the finest” fighter wing in the country and said capital improvements over the past several years helped secure the base’s future in Northwest Ohio.
“They simply couldn’t walk away from the strength of the unit,” Congresswoman Kaptur said, referring to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC), a congressionally-authorized organization that over the past quarter century has recommended the closure of approximately 350 unnecessary bases.
Colonel Steven S. Nordhaus, commander of the 180th, appeared on the program on WSPD with Congresswoman Kaptur. He noted the fighter wing’s impact on the local economy (more than $100 million in payroll annually, including indirect jobs).
Colonel Nordhaus also said the base has recently received the Aerospace Control Alert Unit of the Year Award and also the Reducing Energy Appreciation Program Award.
Congresswoman Kaptur, a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, has been instrumental in helping the base receive federal investments in alternative energy, including a 1.56 megawatt solar field that is providing the Fighter Wing 47 percent of its electrical power, saving the taxpayers an estimated $215,000 annually and reducing the base’s dependence on coal by almost 525 tons each year.
“No one understands more than the U.S. military” the importance of energy independence, said Congresswoman Kaptur. “Energy shortages are a huge vulnerability.” She noted that hauling fuel is one of the most hazardous activities in the military.
“They simply couldn’t walk away from the strength of the unit,” Congresswoman Kaptur said, referring to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC), a congressionally-authorized organization that over the past quarter century has recommended the closure of approximately 350 unnecessary bases.
Colonel Steven S. Nordhaus, commander of the 180th, appeared on the program on WSPD with Congresswoman Kaptur. He noted the fighter wing’s impact on the local economy (more than $100 million in payroll annually, including indirect jobs).
Colonel Nordhaus also said the base has recently received the Aerospace Control Alert Unit of the Year Award and also the Reducing Energy Appreciation Program Award.
Congresswoman Kaptur, a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, has been instrumental in helping the base receive federal investments in alternative energy, including a 1.56 megawatt solar field that is providing the Fighter Wing 47 percent of its electrical power, saving the taxpayers an estimated $215,000 annually and reducing the base’s dependence on coal by almost 525 tons each year.
“No one understands more than the U.S. military” the importance of energy independence, said Congresswoman Kaptur. “Energy shortages are a huge vulnerability.” She noted that hauling fuel is one of the most hazardous activities in the military.