Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base

Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base is located three miles north of Mansfield in Richland County, Ohio. The installation is named for Frank P. Lahm, an early aviator and the first military passenger on an airplane. The 179th Airlift Wing has been stationed at the site since its establishment in 1948.

The base is home to the 179th Airlift Wing (179 AW), an Ohio Air National Guard unit operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command. The wing maintains a force of approximately 1,000 personnel, including Active Guard and Reserve, Air Reserve Technician, and traditional guardsmen. The unit operated various fighter aircraft until 1976, at which time it transitioned to an airlift mission. The wing has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

The installation occupies a portion of a 2,340-acre site and utilizes the infrastructure of Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport. The facility includes a control tower and possesses the operational capacity to support heavy aircraft, including the C-5 Galaxy and the Antonov 124-100. The 179th Airlift Wing operates C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Historically, the unit has operated the C-27 Spartan and multiple fighter types. The base adjoins several industrial parks and contains facilities for aircraft maintenance and avionics. Support services on-site include fuel and general maintenance provided by a fixed-base operator.