SWANTON — Money for new hangars to house fighter jets on alert at the 180th Fighter Wing is included in the federal defense budget bill that passed the Senate Monday, according to the offices of U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio).

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2018 includes $15 million for construction of upgraded fighter aircraft hangars. The money was added by the Senate Armed Services Committee after both senators supported the funding request.

“This is a significant investment in the 180th Fighter Wing’s future that will allow these Airmen to maintain their proven record of success,” Mr. Brown said in a statement.

Mr. Portman visited the Air National Guard base Aug. 29. The hangers are needed for the 180th’s Aerospace Control Alert mission under the North American Air Defense Command, officials said.

The same provision has passed the House. The two versions of the federal defense budget will be merged in a conference committee.

"Defending the homeland remains the number one national security mission for our military, so it is critical that the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo has the best equipment available,” Mr. Portman said.

Mr. Portman said current temporary shelters are near expiration of their life expectancy, and have inadequate fire suppression capabilities and design for supporting U.S. fighter aircraft.

The air base erected four temporary fabric shelters in 2008 to house the four fighter jets that are always on alert for the NORAD mission, a base official said. The fighter wing wants to replace the fabric shelters with two dual-bay metal buildings.

First Published September 18, 2017, 10:48 p.m.