Press Releases
Congressman Jeff Van Drew Kicks off August District Work Period with Tour of 177th Fighter Wing
Egg Harbor Township, NJ,
August 2, 2019
(Egg Harbor Township, NJ) – Congressman Jeff Van Drew kicked off the August district work period with a tour of the National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing located at Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The 177th Fighter Wing has been at this location since 1958, providing mission-ready citizen-airman, weapon systems, and equipment with rapid combat and support capabilities from its proximity to New York City and Washington, D.C. It is a nine-squadron, 13-unit fighter wing that houses, at all times, two pilots and four support staff in a secure building ready to respond to any emergency. “This was an informative and in-depth tour, and one thing that became predominantly clear to me was the need for new jets at this location,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Despite its coverage of two of that nation’s largest cities and a wide swath of the Atlantic coast, this is an F-16 Squadron. It was passed over for the newer F-35 jets that have been deployed elsewhere. This vital upgrade should be expedited, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that this facility gets what it needs.” “The 177th Fighter Wing - providing Airmen and equipment for worldwide combat operations and homeland defense in support of national security objectives while providing safety and security for the citizens of New Jersey – was honored to host Congressman Van Drew for a tour of the Wing, with the purpose of educating and informing the Congressman and his staff regarding the intricacies of the Wing’s mission. The 177th Fighter Wing has always fostered a deep relationship with it surrounding communities in South Jersey, while maintaining a functional team with elected officials at all levels to guarantee the safety of the nation and the great state of New Jersey,” said Colonel Bradford R. Everman. |
