Gov. Nixon announces Missouri Guard, Springfield airport lease

By: Ann Keyes
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs






SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon, Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, and Dr. Robert Spence, chair of the Springfield-Branson National Airport Board, announced a new partnership today that will help bolster the presence and training capability of the Guard in southwest Missouri.

In a news conference held in the old terminal of the Springfield-Branson National Airport, the three discussed a new five-year lease agreement between the Missouri National Guard and the airport. As has been anticipated, the Guard will take over some 25,000 square feet of the old air terminal that was vacated once the airport's Midfield Terminal opened in 2009.

"This exciting news will strengthen one of Missouri's most valuable human resources - our state's Army and Air National Guard," Nixon said. "The success of our armed forces depends on the highly skilled work, and the ongoing training, of the Soldiers and Airmen who keep our military aircraft ready for their missions. Thanks to this agreement, the ability of this vital unit to train Soldiers and Airmen in Springfield has just increased dramatically."

Initially, the National Guard will move the 480-member 1107th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group to the leased space from an overcrowded Guard armory on North Fremont Avenue in Springfield. The unit's Soldiers will attend monthly drill at either their new home or at the Guard's Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot adjacent the airport property.

"We remain committed to ensuring the continued support and development of a robust current and future National Guard force structure presence in Springfield specifically, and in the region, generally," Danner said. "We appreciate everything the Springfield/Branson area has to offer Missouri National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, Families and the civilian work force - safe, secure communities; great schools, colleges and educational opportunities; affordable living; dedicated, patriotic Americans, and we are excited about our future there."

Danner has expressed interest in the Springfield area since becoming adjutant general in January 2009. His Springfield initiatives include possible plans for adding more Guard elements to the area, which is already home to more than 850 Guard Soldiers.


For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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Posted: 5/6/2010 10:31:40 AM