Published June 2003 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Flying Toward the Future
The West Virginia National Guard is among the best trained, best equipped Guard units in the country. The thousands of Mountaineers who give of their own time to be part of the National Guard are always ready to answer the call, whether in response to flooding or severe storms in West Virginia or in support of the active military around the world. To stay on the leading edge, the West Virginia National Guard has undertaken a significant upgrade in its training and support. New readiness centers have been built throughout the state. Maintenance facilities have been modernized to keep the state's fleet of planes, helicopters, and trucks in top condition. I have worked closely with Adjutant General Allen Tackett, the Guard's officers, and the enlisted men and women to move these new facilities from the planning stage to construction and completion. Through my positions on the Senate Appropriations and Armed Services committees, I have obtained millions of dollars required for these projects. A major effort underway in Martinsburg will result in a new, demanding mission for the National Guard's I 67th Airlift Wing. An extensive upgrade at that airbase will prepare the site to house a fleet of 10 C-5 aircraft. Recently, I won Senate authorization of nearly $26 million for construction of new airport infrastructure, including a new control tower, for Martinsburg as part of this upgrade. This authorization is the first step toward a modernized Martinsburg airport. These renovations will ensure that the 167th Airlift Wing is ready and able to take on this expanded responsibility in the nation's security efforts. When the work is completed, West Virginia will be home to one of the largest Air National Guard bases in the country. The upgrade will require more than $200 million in construction and renovations at the airport. Once the C-5 fleet arrives, total personnel at the Airbase is expected to expand from the current 1,160 men and women to approximately 1,340, while the economic impact will increase from $34 million to near $50 million each year. The men and women of the West Virginia National Guard are a vital part of our state. They truly live up to the motto, "Always Ready, Always There." At any hour of any day, the Guard is standing by, ready to help. We should be proud of their efforts, and continue to support them in the future. June 11, 2003