Rep. Segal offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 175.   

            A resolution to urge the United States Department of Defense to maintain its plan to deliver no fewer than four C-27J aircraft to the 110th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Battle Creek.

            Whereas, The C-27J was selected by the United States Department of Defense in 2007 to fulfill Army and Air Force requirements for a medium-lift, intra-theater airlift aircraft; and

            Whereas, The C-27J is unmatched in its ability to support the homeland defense, disaster response, and recovery missions of the Air National Guard. This aircraft is perfectly suited to deliver cargo and supplies to forward tactical units in remote, austere locations and land or take off from short, unimproved runways that are not accessible by other means in a quick and efficient manner; and

            Whereas, The C-27J will allow the Michigan Air National Guard to deliver mission critical personnel and emergency supplies in a far more economical manner than fixed-wing or rotary-wing counterparts, which are more costly to operate and maintain; and

            Whereas, It is prudent to utilize the C-27J to take full advantage of the opportunities that Michigan brings to northern border security; and

            Whereas, The existing infrastructure, trained personnel, and investment at the Battle Creek Air National Guard base is second to no other location in the nation for C-27J mission support, as well as being adjacent to the extensive Michigan Army Reserve and National Guard Fort Custer Training Center; and

            Whereas, The Battle Creek Air National Guard base is an integral part of the Calhoun County community - contributing $22.2 million in total wages and salaries, a total of $26 million in gross regional product to Calhoun County, and firefighters who act as first responders for crash and rescue to the WK Kellogg Airport and the city of Battle Creek; and

            Whereas, Failing to secure the C-27J aircraft could immeasurably damage Battle Creek and Michigan's economy and remove important disaster response readiness -- from either natural or terrorist causes -- in Michigan; and

            Whereas, Michigan is next in line among the states slated to receive no fewer than four C-27J aircraft; and

            Whereas, C-27Js based in Southwest Michigan, due to its central location, will provide superior response capabilities in FEMA Region 5 and the region served by the 51st Civil Support Team; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Department of Defense to maintain its plan to deliver no fewer than four C-27J aircraft to the 110th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Battle Creek, prior to other potential locations throughout the United States; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Defense.