Durbin Attends Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For New Illinois National Guard Complex
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Illinois National Guard’s new Base Civil Engineer (BCE) Complex at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for the Springfield 183rd Wing. Durbin secured $10.2 million in federal funding through Congressionally Directed Spending, also known as an earmark, in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus appropriations bill for its construction.
“This new facility will stand as a testament to the power of unity, strength of purpose, and triumph of collaboration,” said Durbin. “Together, we are ensuring the 183rd Wing remains at the forefront of readiness and resilience for today’s and future missions. I am incredibly grateful to everyone in the Illinois National Guard for their continued dedication and service to our state and our country, and I’m proud to have played a role in helping bring this new facility to life for them.”
“Today’s ribbon cutting marks a proud milestone for the 183d Wing and the men and women of the 183d Civil Engineer Squadron. This new facility strengthens our ability to support both federal missions abroad and state missions here at home. We are deeply grateful to Senator Durbin for his steadfast support of the 183d Wing and for helping ensure that our Airmen have the resources they need to serve our nation and our communities,” said Col. Shawn Strahle, Commander, 183d Wing.
The new facility consolidated existing needs into a single complex comprised of two buildings to support combat engineer training and the sustainment, maintenance, modernization, and operations of the 183rd Wing and its two primary missions. The entire complex provides approximately 24,000 square feet of space for operations.
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