I was in Battle Creek today, continuing my commitment to go anywhere and do anything to create and retain jobs in Michigan. I had the opportunity to meet with Lt. General H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, who traveled to Battle Creek at my invitation. I was eager to show him the facilities at the base, and made it clear that Michigan welcomes the National Guard to grow here in the Great Lakes State.

In today’s meeting, I made the case that Battle Creek Air National Guard Base provides a logical and strategic base for new homeland security and defense missions, such as an Air Force’s Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) mission, which would be selected by the Department of Defense. A new mission would create additional jobs for our Michigan workers and spur economic growth in the surrounding communities. At the same time it would ensure that the jobs on the base now will be secure for years to come.

Late last summer, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission voted to keep the Battle Creek base open after I, along with Michigan’s congressional delegation and local community leaders, put up a fight for Battle Creek and all it has to offer the National Guard. While this resulted in securing hundreds of jobs in Battle Creek, the BRAC commission voted to move roughly 15 A-10 aircraft from Battle Creek to Selfridge Air National Guard Base sometime after 2009. Therefore, I will continue to fight to save those 300 full-time jobs that could be at risk by this move.

Much like the National Guard is committed to protecting our families and homes; I am dedicated to my mission to protect jobs in our state. And as I continue to fight for every single job, no worker in Michigan will be left behind. Stay tuned...