WASHINGTON – The Air Force has released its candidate basing decision for the C-27J operations and training aircraft.

 

The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force approved C-27J operations and training candidate bases. Training candidates are: Key Field Air Guard Station, Miss; Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, Ohio. Operations candidates are: Boise Air Terminal AGS, Idaho; and Great Falls International Airport, Montana.   The Air Force will conduct site surveys at the candidate locations and initiate the environmental impact analysis process in preparation for a final selection.

 

The C-27J is a twin turboprop engine aircraft designed to meet an Air Force requirement for a rugged, medium size airland transport. The C-27J gives US military troops a unique, short-take-off-and-landing capability, providing access to airstrips otherwise unusable by fixed-wing aircraft.

 

Senator Jon Tester on the Air Force’s announcement:

 

“Today’s announcement puts Montana and our Air National Guard one step closer to a final decision about the C-27J, but this isn’t a done deal yet. The Montana Air National Guard has both the airspace and the high-quality personnel needed to keep our nation secure—with every mission they’re assigned. There’s more work to be done, but I’ll keep fighting for our Airmen, for Great Falls, and for the continued success of MANG.”