Both of the state's U.S. senators and all 14 Michigan members of the U.S. House signed the letter asking for the Battle Creek base to be named the location of a Cyber Operations Squadron, a move which, if approved, could help secure the base's future and add jobs.
"Our future as a nation depends upon a reliable cyberspace," the delegation wrote. "We would like to express our strong support for the 110th Attack Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek, MI to host a Cyber Squadron."
Battle Creek is considered a strong contender for one of the remaining squadrons and the letter, led by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, comes as state officials also are lobbying for nearby Ft. Custer to be selected as a site for a ground-based ballistic missile defense operation which could be authorized.
The delegation argued in its letter that the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base's location and capabilities would allow the Defense Department to "fulfill its mission at a significant cost savings compared to bases without the same existing infrastructure."
The 110th Attack Wing located at the base is already home to a pilot program which, over the last six years, has engaged in cyber missions, training technicians and putting in place some of the infrastructure which will be needed for such a squadron, members of the delegation said.
Cyber Operations Squadrons typically consist of about 70 full-time military or civilian personnel or professional contractors, providing systems vulnerability assessments, cybersecurity techniques and procedures and development, as well as other services.
The letter was sent to Carter, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, and other officials.
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