Legislation will be introduced to protect W.K. Kellogg Airport from the Federal Aviation Administration.
U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat from Pontiac, announced he is asking Congress for an exemption in the law prohibiting federal grants to airports that have military bases without flying missions.
The missions at the Michigan National Guard Base at W.K. Kellogg Airport do not include aircraft. The FAA requires airports applying for federal grants to charge fair market value for tenants except for military units with flying missions. Those may be charged with what is called a nominal lease.
The air guard base, which is home to the 110th Attack Wing, is in the midst of a 75-year lease for $1, according to Larry Bowron, transportation director for the City of Battle Creek.
Bowron said one mission at the base is flying remotely piloted aircraft, often referred to as RPAs. Pilots are at other bases training and flying missions but soon will be stationed at the Battle Creek guard base, even if the planes fly combat missions outside the United States.
Military officials have said they would like to have some of the planes brought to the base for training and if that were to happen, Bowron said the remotely piloted aircraft could meet the aeronautical mission required by the FAA, which would allow the airport to apply for future federal grants.
The 110th history begins during World War II. It became an Air National Guard Squadron in 1947. Several flying missions, including the P-51, the F-86 Sabre Jet, the Cessna OA-37 Dragonfly and the A-10 Warthog, have been stationed at the base. The C-21 was the most recent, and those planes left the Battle Creek base in 2013.
"We hope we are between aviation missions," Bowron said. "It could be the RPA, and what we want is some time, and we don't want to be held in violation of grant assurances."
The Peters legislation, co-sponsored by Republicans Tom Cotton of Arizona and Joni Ernst of Iowa, would prohibit the Transportation secretary from rejecting a grant application from an airport that is providing a reduced lease rate to a military base without a flying mission.
The bill has been referred to committee, according to Peters office.
"We appreciate everything that Sen. Peters office is trying to do," Bowron said. "We are working alongside them to make some revisions of the bill to make it more focused." He said the city and Peters are also working with Battle Creek Unlimited on the problem. He said five airports in the United States face the same issue.
Bowron said the deadline is in October, but "I don't see the FAA freezing grants or not allowing us to get some. The FAA wants to help find a solution."
"I am confident we can work something out. We have a long, rich history with the military, and the base brings jobs and helps the area economy. Finding a solution is in all of our best interest."