INDIANA, (WOWO): Senator Dan Coats, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, praised Tuesday’s announcement that the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne will be receiving F-16’s to replace its current fleet of A-10 aircraft. The announcement was made as part of the release of the president’s budget for fiscal year 2015.

“This is a great day for the 122nd Fighter Wing and the Indiana Air National Guard,” said Coats. “The Fort Wayne base has the runway length, capacity, airspace and skilled personnel to take on this new mission. The F-16 has a proud history in Allen County and represents a long-term bridge to the Joint Strike Fighter. I join with the Fort Wayne community in welcoming back F-16s. I commend General Umbarger, Colonel Augustine and the entire 122nd Fighter Wing who have demonstrated that this base is one of the best in the country. The credit goes to those who have made the 122nd Fighter Wing an outstanding and nationally-recognized unit.”

The Fort Wayne Air National Guard base is home to the 122nd Fighter Wing, which currently consists of 21 A-10 aircraft. As the A-10’s are phased out by the Air Force, the 122nd Fighter Wing will begin a new mission with F-16’s by the end of the decade.