Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today released the following statement on President Obama’s spokesperson caught unaware of White House plans to shut down Mansfield Lahm Airport’s 179th Airlift Wing:

“If President Obama has his way, his Air Force One arrival would be one of the final flights into Mansfield Lahm Airport. Despite numerous reports highlighting the value of the 179th, and the critical capability they and their C-27J aircraft provide to our deployed soldiers, President Obama wants to do away with the mission for the 800 Guardsmen at the base. Time and again, these Ohioans have answered the call to serve. They must be pretty frustrated to see the president drop into town, ignore their award-winning work, and fail to give them a straight answer about his plans to end their important mission."