Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is eyeing the Springfield-Beckley Airport as a site for a new runway to be used for training involving the C-17 aircraft.
Base officials say Springfield Airport would be an ideal location to use for C-17 cargo transport training out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The news comes as the base has been looking to cut costs. As of now, the C-17 training missions fly out of state to hold assault training exercises.
U.S. Representative Steve Austria announced in a press release that no final agreement has been made regarding the runway, but if the project gets a green light, it will be funded through the Air Force's budget.
The Springfield Airport already has been given the green light on a two major projects. The Air National Guard, currently at the airport, will handle operations of the unmanned MQ-One Predator and will work on a new data project for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.
No timetable has been set for final approval of the runway project.