National Guard to Participate in and Pay for Part of Lincoln Airport Runway Project | Local business news
The National Guard Bureau has pledged to pay a portion of the cost of a future runway reconstruction project at Lincoln Airport to ensure the runway is not shortened.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced on Monday a commitment from the Bureau, which is a joint Army and Air Force office responsible for the administration of the National Guard, to use available funds to cover part of the cost. A specific amount was not disclosed.
The airport plans to completely rebuild its main runway over the next few years in a project estimated to cost between $30 million and $80 million.
The Federal Aviation Administration would pay 90% of the project, with the airport covering the rest, but there is a caveat.
The FAA will only pay for such duration as it determines necessary for commercial airline flights at the airport.
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Because the airport was a former Air Force base, it has one of the longest runways of any commercial airport in the country – nearly 13,000 square feet.
Last month, airport officials estimated the FAA would only pay for a runway of about 8,000 to 10,000 square feet.
However, the airport is home to the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing, with its fleet of eight Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, which are very large aircraft that require a longer runway than normal.
Fischer said in a press release that once she discovered additional funding would be needed to maintain the airport runway for its full length, she worked with the Nebraska National Guard, senior management. of U.S. Strategic Command and the Department of Defense, 55th Wing in Offutt. Air Force Base and Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Michael Loh – to help find a solution.
“Preserving the one-size-fits-all runway is critical to the operations of the 155th Air Refueling Wing and its mission partners, which are vital to our national security,” Fischer said.
“I am pleased that the National Guard Bureau has committed to providing the necessary funding to complete this reconstruction project. It remains a long-term priority for the state, and I will continue to advocate for its completion,” she said.
Lincoln Airport officials could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
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Photos: An honorable transport ceremony brings the remains of the USS Oklahoma to Lincoln Airport
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Guests listen to the start of the Honorable Transport Ceremony for the remains of the USS Oklahoma Group in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy Weber (retired) sings the national anthem during an honorable transport ceremony for the remnants of the USS Oklahoma Band in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry

Airmen from the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard carry one of 10 transfer cases from the USS Oklahoma group remains during a ceremony Thursday at Lincoln Airport. A second honorable transport ceremony will take place when the remains arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Mary Clare Gilg Haven (third from left), whose second cousin, Navy Firefighter 1st Class Louis James Tushla, is among those identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, stands at attention as Airmen from the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard carry one of 10 transfer cases into a USS Oklahoma Group Honorary Transport Rest during a ceremony in Hangar 948 Thursday at the airport of Lincoln. A second honorable transport ceremony will take place when the remains arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry

Mary Clare Gilg Haven (second from left) and Reverend James Gilg (fourth from left), whose second cousin, Navy Fireman 1st Class Louis James Tushla, is among those identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, stand to attention as tap dances are played during an honorable transport of the remains of the USS Oklahoma band during a ceremony in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport. A second honorable transport ceremony will take place when the remains arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Ten flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the group of those who died aboard the USS Oklahoma await honorable transport by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard (foreground) during a ceremony at Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry

Kelly McKeague, Director of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, speaks during an honorable transport ceremony for the remains of the USS Oklahoma group in hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Guests listen to remarks from Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense Accounting POW/MIA, during an honorable transport ceremony for the USS Oklahoma group remains Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry

Airmen from the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard carry flag-draped transfer cases in a USS Oklahoma Group honorable transport remains during a ceremony in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport. A second honorable transport ceremony will take place when the remains arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Ten flag-draped transfer crates hold the remains of the group from the USS Oklahoma during an honorable transport ceremony in Hangar 948 at Lincoln Airport on Thursday.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry

Greg Slavonic (right), former acting undersecretary of the Navy, speaks about the USS Oklahoma in front of ten flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the group of those who died aboard the USS Oklahoma. The Offutt Air Force Base honor guard (left) waits to perform an honorable carry during a ceremony in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
USS Oklahoma Honorable Carry
Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard Airmen carry one of 10 transfer cases in a USS Oklahoma Group honorable transport remains during a ceremony in Hangar 948 Thursday at Lincoln Airport. A second honorable transport ceremony will take place when the remains arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, newspaper star
Contact the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
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