Thanks to Stripes for this:
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Last year, the U.S. Air Force’s announced that the Mansfield Air National Guard Base, home of the 179th Airlift Wing, has been selected as the preferred site for the Air National Guard’s first Cyber Warfare Wing.
The new cybersecurity mission in Mansfield will bring an additional 175 positions that are STEM and IT focused and will bolster Ohio’s efforts to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce by attracting in-demand cybersecurity jobs.
“This selection will build on the 179th Airlift Wing’s legacy of excellence to begin a new chapter in the cyber warfare domain,” Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, said. “The transition to a cyber wing places the Ohio National Guard at the forefront of leveraging cutting edge technologies and capabilities for national defense and mitigating emerging threats.”
Among the criteria considered in the decision were manpower, recruiting, and retention; building capacity and connectivity; environmental; construction costs; and cost of living.
Partners involved in promoting Mansfield as the prime location for this mission include Ohio’s Congressional delegation, as well as JobsOhio, the Mansfield Military Affairs Committee, the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Team NEO, and many other local, state, and federal officials.
“The U.S. Air National Guard cyber warfare wing in Mansfield will advance our country’s 21st Century warfare capability while attracting new in-demand cybersecurity positions and talent to Ohio,” JobsOhio President & CEO J.P. Nauseef said.
The Air Force has not yet announced a timeline for the new mission, however the next step is expected to be an environmental assessment of the site.
The 179th Airlift Wing has a long and distinguished history that includes that includes the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; the Alan P. Tappan Memorial Trophy, which designates the outstanding Air National Guard unit in the State of Ohio; and the Rusty Metcalf Award, which acknowledges the unit as one of the best in the entire Air Force.
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