Just a few short years after it appeared the 183rd Fighter Wing would be completely closed down, the ribbon was cut on a state-of-the-art communications facility Friday that will provide high-tech cyber-communications for the US Air Force.
Mayor Mike Houston says the base’s national security mission also means a measure of economic security to the city.
“The 183rd is an economic engine for our community and for the central Illinois region in terms of the number of full-time employees and members of the National Guard” says Houston
Houston was joined by Sen. Dick Durbin and US Representatives Aaron Schock and Rodney Davis. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and State Representative Rick Brauer also took place in the ribbon-cutting.The Air Force recently completed 24-million dollars in upgrades and contruction at the base.