Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley asking for more information regarding what the Air Force knows about President Obama’s about-face on the future of the Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard base following controversy tied to his campaign event in Mansfield. 

“I remain deeply concerned about the future of the C-27J and the impact the proposal to mothball the aircraft has already had on our deployed operations,” Portman stated in the letter. 

Posing four questions to the Secretary, Senator Portman notes that, “This announcement is contrary to the President’s Budget submitted in February as well as the numerous conversations I’ve had with you and other Air Force leaders on this topic.”

Portman asked for the Secretary’s insight on the following questions:

-       When were you informed of the President’s decision to reverse his proposal to remove the mission for 80 percent of the Guardsmen at Mansfield Lahm?

-       When did you plan to inform the Congressional Defense Committees of this intended change to the President’s Budget?

-       What steps have you taken in working with the President to find a mission for Mansfield Lahm, so that the men and women who serve there can continue to make their important contribution to our national security?

-       What missions are you evaluating and what is your expected decision making timeline?

Senator Portman finished by noting the urgency of the request given the President’s original proposal planned on removing these 800 Guardsmen from the nation’s military starting October 1, 2012.