By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
In a showcase of both public and private entities, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran visited two vital features of Salina's community — defense and aviation.
Moran first visited the U.S. Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing last week, checking in on the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and visiting with service members.
"My work in Washington D.C. involves a lot of things related to defense," Moran said. "We want to make certain that the Guard is recognized for the value that they provide in defending our country, as well as providing services here in Kansas in times of natural disasters."
On another stop Moran visited 1 Vision Aviation, an FAA-certified aviation repair and maintenance company that works with national businesses like Boeing, Beechcraft and Cessna.
While there, he toured 1 Vision's large hangars and chatted with Jim Sponder, 1 Vision president and CEO, among a few other employees.
Tim Rogers, the executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, helped facilitate Moran's visit to Salina and joined him along the stops.
"Jerry has collaborated with the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina community on various projects that have resulted in new developments in our community," Rogers said.
Preparing for the new legislative session
In Washington, D.C., Moran primarily works with defense appropriations, focusing on the U.S. National Guard.
Moran's work in Washington, D.C., focuses on defense appropriations and the U.S. National Guard.
While in Salina, Moran said he aimed to prepare for the new legislative session by personally visiting his state's defense and aviation assets.
He spoke with service members and 1 Vision staff, asking questions on recent celebrations and challenges moving forward.
At the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing, he focused on the unique aspects of Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and the benefits of preserving the range.
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"There is a number of those units across the country, and many of them are being eliminated, and we were successful in saving the unit here in Salina," Moran said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what was going on, know the value and continued support for them."
Smoky Hill's range benefits the local, state, national, and international communities by performing critical operations on its large airspace that reaches from Salina to Dodge City.
Moran said with the large air and ground space, service members can run critical training programs with both U.S. Army and Air Force troops.
"It's a huge economic boost to Salina and the surrounding area," Moran said. "It's unique in its size and scope of what can happen on such a large piece of ground."
Salina aviation was another element Moran focused on last week, where he said quality air service was an impactful boon for a community.
Rogers said Moran has collaborated with the Airport Authority on previous projects, and the returning overnight flight schedule is the newest one Moran supports.
"The one area that Jerry has been very influential and very helpful with is the air quality service and supporting the essential air quality service program," Rogers said. "[It's been] very helpful with business recruitment and supporting the growth of Schwan's Food Company and, of course, 1 Vision Aviation."
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"It's all tied together," Moran said. "If you want a bright future for your region of Kansas, access to commercial air service to connect with the rest of the country and the rest of the world is a huge component."
After visiting with service members, Moran traveled just a few miles north to tour 1 Vision Aviaition's large hangars and chatted with Sponders and other staff while touring their projects.
Rogers said 1 Vision Aviation's work in Salina benefits the overall economy of Salina, employing many residents while remaining a competitive air maintenance hub in the region.
Moran supported 1 Vision in Salina from the start, and through most of Salina's aviation challenges, Rogers said Moran continues to support the community.
"When we have a challenge ahead on a project that involves federal issues, laws and regulations, there's no hesitation to contact Jerry and his staff."
While most of Salina's aviation facets benefit the local community, Moran stressed the value of regional defense and air professional partners internationally.
"Our country faces tremendous military and national security challenges," Moran said. "It's always the time, but today is a perfect time to say thank you to those who serve on our guard and active duty."