Air Force's 1st Cyber Warfare Wing Could Be Coming To Ohio

MANSFIELD, OH — The Air Force's first cyber warfare wing could be located in Ohio.

The Mansfield Air National Guard Base is the Air Force's preferred site for the first expansion into cyber warfare, the military branch announced Wednesday. The mission would bring an additional 175 positions to Ohio, all focused on STEM and IT.

"I spoke directly with the Secretary of the Air Force today who gave me this outstanding news," said Gov. Mike DeWine. "Ohio is gaining a leading-edge mission that will strengthen the fabric of the military community and further solidify Ohio as a national leader in cybersecurity excellence."

The governor further described the news as a major win for both Mansfield and Ohio.

The Mansfield Air National Guard Base was one of two major contenders for the first cyber warfare wing, with the other competitor being the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota. Air Force officials made their decision based on manpower, recruiting and retention, building capacity and connectivity, environmental construction costs, and cost of living.

"This selection will build on the 179th Airlift Wing’s legacy of excellence to begin a new chapter in the cyber warfare domain,” said Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general. “The transition to a cyber wing places the Ohio National Guard at the forefront of leveraging cutting edge technologies and capabilities for national defense and mitigating emerging threats.”

There is no timeline yet for the cyber warfare mission, but the next step will be an environmental assessment of the Mansfield site. Additionally, the plan is contingent on the U.S. Congress approving a plan to retire eight C-130H Hercules from the base's inventory, freeing up space for the cyber warfare wing.

“Retiring these legacy aircraft will create the fiscal and manpower flexibility required to design and field the future force needed to meet national defense requirements,” said Lt. Gen. David Nahom, plans and programs deputy chief of staff.