Two new front line missions that have been designated for Mississippi National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing will add “muscle” along with more than 400 jobs to the unit.

Maj. Gen. Harold Cross, the state’s adjutant general, and Gov. Haley Barbour announced Thursday that the 186th will receive a new Joint Cargo Aircraft mission and an Air Force War Fighting Headquarters detachment.

The announcement came at a news conference in Meridian.

“These missions will not only perpetuate the flying mission culture in Meridian but will continue their posture in the forefront of our nation’s defense. They will also add muscle in our response to state missions as we remain continually poised to protect lives and property of Mississippians,” Cross said.

Cross said the joint cargo aircraft program would bring 120-150 jobs. He said the headquarters attachment would bring in 300 jobs.

“Since the inception of this Air Guard unit in 1939, the people of Meridian, Lauderdale County and the surrounding areas have demonstrated a strong, patriotic commitment and taken great pride in the unit’s major contributions to national defense,” Barbour said.

Both missions are expected to be in place by fiscal year 2011, the date designated when the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided in 2005 to relocate the 186th’s KC-135R tanker aircraft.

The National Guard and the state’s congressional delegation have looked for a new flying mission for the Meridian unit.

“These new missions testify to the vital role the men and women of the 186th Air Refueling Wing and the community of Meridian play in the defense of our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss. “I am proud and confident these decisions will strengthen our military abroad and improve our response capabilities here at home.”SEWER WORK — A new sewer line was installed Wensday in front of the new McDonalds. The old line had collapsed, forcing the City of Picayune to install a new line. A trench box was installed before the line was placed and hooked up to the Picayune sewer system, Public Works Director Chad Frierson said. (Photo by Jeremy Pittari)

MERIDIAN (AP) — Two new front line missions that have been designated for Mississippi National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing will add “muscle” along with more than 400 jobs to the unit.

Maj. Gen. Harold Cross, the state’s adjutant general, and Gov. Haley Barbour announced Thursday that the 186th will receive a new Joint Cargo Aircraft mission and an Air Force War Fighting Headquarters detachment.

The announcement came at a news conference in Meridian.

“These missions will not only perpetuate the flying mission culture in Meridian but will continue their posture in the forefront of our nation’s defense. They will also add muscle in our response to state missions as we remain continually poised to protect lives and property of Mississippians,” Cross said.

Cross said the joint cargo aircraft program would bring 120-150 jobs. He said the headquarters attachment would bring in 300 jobs.

“Since the inception of this Air Guard unit in 1939, the people of Meridian, Lauderdale County and the surrounding areas have demonstrated a strong, patriotic commitment and taken great pride in the unit’s major contributions to national defense,” Barbour said.

Both missions are expected to be in place by fiscal year 2011, the date designated when the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided in 2005 to relocate the 186th’s KC-135R tanker aircraft.

The National Guard and the state’s congressional delegation have looked for a new flying mission for the Meridian unit.

“These new missions testify to the vital role the men and women of the 186th Air Refueling Wing and the community of Meridian play in the defense of our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss. “I am proud and confident these decisions will strengthen our military abroad and improve our response capabilities here at home.”SEWER WORK — A new sewer line was installed Wensday in front of the new McDonalds. The old line had collapsed, forcing the City of Picayune to install a new line. A trench box was installed before the line was placed and hooked up to the Picayune sewer system, Public Works Director Chad Frierson said. (Photo by Jeremy Pittari)