Salina, Kan. March 7, 2005 The Adjutant General of Kansas, the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce announced at a joint news conference today, March 7, the expansion of the Kansas Army National Guard's Readiness Sustainment Maintenance Site (RSMS) program to the Salina Airport Industrial Center. Maj. Gen. (KS) Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, Tim Rogers, executive director for the Salina Airport Authority and Paula Wright, chairman of the chamber's board of directors, made the announcement at the M.J. Kennedy Air Terminal located at the Salina Airport Industrial Center.

The Salina Airport Authority has leased a 67,859 sq. ft. manufacturing facility to the Kansas Military Board. The new Salina facility will be used to house operation for an expansion of the current Readiness Sustainment Maintenance Site located on Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kan. The Airport Authority is completing $1.56 million in improvements that will enable the Guard to occupy the building on April 1, 2005.

The base mission of the RSMS is to rebuild currently owned trucks and trailers within the National Guard. This is a recapitalization initiative designed to save the taxpayers' money and to provide excellent and modern equipment to National Guard soldiers and commanders.

The Kansas National Guard will relocate current trailer repair operations for the rebuild of 40-foot military equipment transportation trailers from the Fort Riley site to the Salina building. Initially the Guard will employ 40-45 civilian workers at a starting wage of approximately $12 per hour. Total employees could exceed 100 in the coming years. The RSMS site at Fort Riley currently employs 150 full and part time employees.

"The people of Salina have always been great supporters of the Kansas National Guard. This expansion of the RSMS will bring more money, more jobs and added prestige to the city as it helps maintain the military readiness of the National Guard. These facilities will allow us to rebuild even larger trucks and trailers than we currently have with the infrastructure capacity at Fort Riley," said Bunting.

In partnership with the City of Salina and the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce is in the process of completing a comprehensive job-training package for the Guard's new employees. Salina Area Chamber of Commerce chairman, Paula Wright commented, "The chamber applauds the Guard's decision to locate this important maintenance facility in Salina. We are pleased to be able to work in partnership with the Salina Airport Authority in helping to provide for the guard's workforce and training needs."

The new Readiness Sustainment Maintenance site will increase the number of Kansas National Guard employees in Salina, Saline County. The Guard currently employs approximately 290 people in Saline County, but overall the Kansas National Guard is the fifth largest employer in the State of Kansas. Other Kansas National Guard facilities in Salina include the 235th Regional Training Institute which includes the Regional Training Site for Maintenance (RTSM), Training Site Detachment, Army Aviation Support Facility, the Army National Guard armory and Smoky Hill Weapons Range.

Tim Rogers, executive director for the Salina Airport Authority commented "the new Readiness Sustainment Maintenance Site will play an important role in our nation's defense for years to come. The new facility is a proud addition to a vibrant and growing Airport Industrial Center."

The Adjutant General's Department

Quick Links

Additional Links