Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Youngstown commander shares 910th connection on Capitol Hill

by Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.
910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office


6/30/2014 - WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Air Force Reserve Col. James Dignan, 910th Airlift Wing commander, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, visited the congressional offices of five states during his Capitol Hill visit, June 25 and 26.

Dignan had the opportunity to discuss the 910th's mission as well as several issues concerning the unit and installation during scheduled visits with members of the Ohio and Pennsylvania congressional delegations. The commander met with office staff members from both Ohio senators, a Pennsylvania senator and staffers from House offices representing six districts in the Buckeye state and two in the Keystone state. More than 1200 members of the 910th Airlift Wing are constituents in these congressional districts.

The commander also visited congressional offices representing the states of Kansas, North Dakota and Utah over the course of two days. These visits highlighted the unit's one-of-a-kind mission in the Department of Defense. The commander wanted to make the legislators aware of the wing's unique large area, fixed wing aerial spray capability. He also wanted to share how the 910th's mission contributes to the well-being of the populations of their states and what it brings to the Air Force Reserve and the DoD.

"I want them to know about our unit, our installation, our mission and what it means to them," said Dignan. "I want everyone to know how this great little Northeast Ohio base benefits all of these different states across the country."

The Air Force Reserve Capitol Hill Visit program enables wing commanders to meet annually with congressmen representing their areas. The primary purpose of the program is to assist commanders in improving and building on relationships established with congressional delegations and to increase their unit's visibility with members of Congress.

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