BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – U.S. Senator Gary Peters paying a visit to the Cereal City on Friday, June 9 to help break ground for a new main gate and entrance facility at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
Peters joined base and Battle Creek city officials in kicking off the work on the new entrance which will be relocated from Dickman Road to the west side of the base on Skyline Drive, which contains less traffic. This officials say will help enhance security and enable a more efficient flow of vehicles in and out of the base.
“Moving the base entrance from Dickman Road to Skyline Drive makes sense from the standpoint of safety and security,” said Col. Daniel Kramer II, 110th Wing commander, Battle Creek ANG Base. “This project has been in the works for many years with incredible support from local government. We also appreciate the tireless efforts of Michigan’s congressional delegation on both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to secure the funding.”
“As a community we have a long history of supporting our military. This appropriation helps continue good relationships as well as an excellent investment for the future, not just for our military infrastructure, but also our community,”said Mayor Mark Behnke, City of Battle Creek.
Senator Peters secured $10 million for the military construction project in the 2022 national defense law through his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is critical to our national defense and Michigan’s military footprint,” said Peters. “That’s why I fought for and secured $10 million in federal funding to construct a new main gate and entrance facility that will improve both security and day-to-day operations for those serving on the base.”
The base, which marked its 75th anniversary in the Battle Creek community last year, is the home station for nearly 1,000 Airmen and supports a variety of missions to include a Cyber Defense squadron, MQ-9 Reaper drone flying operation, and a Command and Control function for the U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa.
“This investment in Battle Creek will not only strengthen our historical military presence, which is vital to our local economy, but will also position the defense community for growth in Battle Creek,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited. “We thank Senator Peters for his efforts to secure the federal funding needed for this critical project.”
Peters additionally secured $49 million in funding to go toward constructing a new, state-of-the-art training facility at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base for Marine Corps reservists as well as a new vehicle maintenance facility, which will help extend the life of the vehicles they house.
In the most recent national defense bill signed into law, Peters included an authorization of $24 million for new supply and storage facilities for the Marine Corps Reserve Unit in Battle Creek – and is pushing to secure the funding needed for this project.
