Roby touts updates for Air National Guard facility in Alabama

Facility updates are critically needed at a U.S. Air National Guard location in the home state of U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL).

“I would like to raise awareness that a correctly sized and properly configured maintenance facility to support and repair F-35 aircraft coming to the 187th Fighter Wing is needed very soon at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala.,” Rep. Roby said June 19 on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during consideration of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2020, H.R. 2745.

The 187th Fighter Wing was selected by the U.S. Air Force in 2017 as a preferred location to house the F-35, the congresswoman said, and the first aircraft are slated to arrive within the next few years.

“Squadron operations require administrative, training and support space as part of the Aircraft Organization Maintenance Shop,” she said.

The lawmaker has said that landing this mission will be a tremendous boost for the River Region community and the entire state because it may bring as many as 1,000 jobs, $70 million in up-front facility upgrades, up to $3 billion in capital investment in Montgomery, and will further enhance Alabama’s already significant military footprint.

Rep. Roby told House leaders that she appreciated their efforts to provide the nation’s military members with “adequate and acceptable working spaces” in which to properly perform their jobs.

“I look forward to working together on this issue as we continue through the fiscal year 2020 appropriations process,” added Rep. Roby.