Senators Nofs and Schuitmaker offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 113.

            A resolution to urge the United States Department of Defense to fulfill its commitment to deliver no fewer than four C-27J cargo aircraft to the 110th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Battle Creek.

            Whereas, The C-27J has been the chosen aircraft to carry out the medium-lift, intra-theatre airlift requirements of the Army and Air Force since 2007; and

            Whereas, The C-27J is unmatched in its ability to support the homeland defense, disaster response, and recovery missions of the Air National Guard. The C-27J will allow the Michigan Air National Guard to provide mission-critical personnel and supplies in a rapid and economical manner to sites not accessible by other airlift aircraft; and

            Whereas, The placement of C-27J aircraft in Battle Creek will take full advantage of Michigan's ability to ensure northern border security. Battle Creek's central location will allow the 110th Airlift Wing to provide superior response capability in Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 5 and the region served by the 51st Civil Support Team; and

            Whereas, The existing infrastructure, trained personnel, and investment at the Battle Creek Air National Guard base is second to no other location in the nation for C-27J mission support, as well as being adjacent to the extensive Michigan Army Reserve and National Guard Fort Custer Training Center; and

            Whereas, The Battle Creek Air National Guard base is integral to the economy of Southwest Michigan, providing $22.2 million in total wages and salaries and $26 million in gross regional product to Calhoun County; and

            Whereas, More than $22 million in taxpayer funding has been invested in the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base from 2001 to 2011, $16.7 million of which represents the federal share and $5.2 million of which was invested by the state of Michigan. The 110th Airlift Wing has been the recipient of $477 million in funding for operating expenses from 2001 to 2011, including military construction, personnel, and operations and maintenance; and

            Whereas, The loss of previously committed C-27J aircraft would cause significant harm to Battle Creek and Michigan's economy and severely inhibit disaster response readiness in Michigan for threats both natural and terrorist in origin; and

            Whereas, The Air Force has been an important partner in the Battle Creek community since 1947. During this same time period, the greater Battle Creek/Calhoun County region has been a staunch supporter and defender of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, as well as its other defense and military installations; and 

            Whereas, The 110th Airlift Wing has been one of the most decorated units in the nation, receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1992, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2011. This honor is bestowed on fewer than 10 percent of Air Force units annually; and

            Whereas, The Secretary of the Air Force proposed the expansion of the C-27J program in Battle Creek as a part of the Air Force "Roadmap for the 21st Century" in the summer of 2008; and

            Whereas, Michigan is next in line among the states slated to receive C-27J aircraft; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Department of Defense to fulfill its commitment to deliver no fewer than four C-27J cargo aircraft to the 110th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard in Battle Creek, as planned, prior to other prospective locations throughout the United States; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of the Air Force, the United States Secretary of Defense, and the members of Michigan’s congressional delegation.