179th Airlift Wing to become a NASA transport hub Published Aug. 18, 2015 By Master Sgt. Lisa Haun 179th Airlift Wing MANSFIELD -- Ohio -- NASA's Super Guppy Mission Manager, Jon Myrick and a team from NASA visited the 179th Airlift Wing (AW), Aug. 12, 2015. Myrick said the Super Guppy team was checking to see if Mansfield was everything they thought it could be. NASA is hoping to utilize the 179 AW and Mansfield Lahm Airport in support of the huge aircraft once or twice annually over the next few years. 179 AW members will assist NASA with equipment needed for loading and unloading the large, wide-bodied cargo aircraft that is used for hauling oversized cargo components. The Super Guppy mission will be in support of the Orion spacecraft and will carry parts to Mansfield that will be transferred to Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio. The179 AW Aerial Port members will provide manning and equipment to move the heavy cargo on and off the aircraft that will come in from Texas, Florida or other locations. 179 AW Fuels will ensure that the aircraft is refueled, while 179 AW Security Forces will secure the location. Lahm Airport hosts one of the longest runways in Ohio, to the length of 9001 x 150 ft., allowing the airport to handle large aircraft like the USAF C-5 and the Antonov 124-100, The Super Guppy is one of the largest cargo planes in the world, boasting 25 ft. in diameter and 111 ft. long and will be an exciting new spectacle at Lahm. The Super Guppy is used to avoid road limitation like low bridges, narrow roadways and power lines. "NASA will see that the State of Ohio and the 179th Airlift Wing are the best choice for this mission. The State of Ohio renovated all the bridges on State Route 13 from Richland to Huron County. This investment has made transporting NASA's equipment to Sandusky from Mansfield the best possible option, not to mention the support equipment used for the C-130H, we fit all of NASA's needs.", said Lt. Col. Robert Dunlap, 164 Airlift Squadron Division of Navigation. The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is designed to carry up to four astronauts to exciting possible new missions such as explore asteroids, loop the moon and put men on Mars. The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win... in Air, Space and Cyberspace. The future of space exploration is making history while passing through Mansfield, offering an exciting new opportunity for the 179th AW to make a difference in the Air Force contribution to Air and Space superiority.