(Washington, DC) Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved Congressman John Yarmuth’s (KY-3) request for $534,000 in funding for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s new Contingency Response Group facility. Housing the Louisville-based 123^rd Airlift Wing’s new unit, this facility will allow the Contingency Response group to support and fulfill military, emergency response, and Homeland Security missions.

“When our Commonwealth was struck by natural disasters over the past two years, the men and women of the Guard’s Contingency Response Group were among the first on the scene to provide Kentucky families with critical assistance and support,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “I am honored to help ensure the Guard has the resources needed to continue to carry out critical missions at home and abroad.”

The funding is for the expansion of an approximately 54,400 square foot facility to house the 123rd Airlift Wing’s new Contingency Response Group (CRG) and provide space to right size the Security Forces Squadron and Service Flight to support a dual military and Homeland Security mission set for all three units.

"These vital military construction funds enable us to continue development of a 2-to-3 year phased construction option for our planned $12.6M Contingency Response Group facility at Louisville International Airport's Air National Guard base," said Maj. Gen. Ed Tonini, the Adjutant General of Kentucky. “This facility is critical to meet the equipment storage, administrative and

training needs of this new high profile unit. “ 

"The unique new mission is a rapidly deployable 'Air Base in a Box' designed both for homeland emergency response and Air Force missions worldwide, as demonstrated earlier this year by our 123d Airlift Wing's outstanding work standing up and operating two airfields in the Dominican Republic for Haiti humanitarian relief operations," Gen. Tonini said.

Activated last year, the Contingency Response Group is capable of rapidly providing relief and security support during major emergencies or natural disasters within a 400-mile radius of Louisville.  During recent weather emergencies and natural disasters, members of the unit deployed to provide support to Kentuckians in need of immediate assistance.  

One of only ten such units in the entire Air Force, the Kentucky National Guard’s Contingency Response Group also supports military and humanitarian missions worldwide using the Guard’s C-130 aircraft.

Congressman Yarmuth’s funding was approved as part of the FY2011 Military Construction and Veteran’s Affairs Appropriations bill that was approved by the House by a vote of 411 to 6. The bill must now be approved by the Senate before heading to the President for his signature.

For FY2010, Congressman Yarmuth secured $600,000 for the facility.