YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - $8.7 million in military construction funds included in the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus federal budget will be used to complete planned infrastructure improvements to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station's (YARS) paved "assault" runway.

Upon completion these improvements will enable C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft to use the paved "short field" runway situated to the west of Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport's main runway to practice landing on and taking off from short field.

Currently, pilots assigned to C-17 flying units such as the 911th and 445th Airlift Wing at the nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County, Ohio have to fly to at least South Carolina to practice these required maneuvers to maintain their aircrew currency.

Col. Jeff Van Dootingh, 910th Airlift Wing commander, as well as YARS installation commander says the benefits of this project are far-reaching.

Col. Dootingh says these types of runways are typically shorter in length than a conventional runway, and that you shouldn't try to land a cargo aircraft on a short runway for the first time in combat. 

"This new capability at YARS will save taxpayer dollars and valuable training time in the C-17 community. It will add to the military value of YARS by allowing us to become a regional training hub for Air Force C-17 units," Col. Dootingh said.

In addition, the uncongested air space air space surrounding YARS allows pilots to use the airport's runway and the assault strip nearly at will to complete their training requirements.

The 910th Airlift Wings looks forward to receiving funds for this project, having it go out for a bid and hosting a groundbreaking ceremony in the near future to kick off construction of the improvements.