Ohio National Guard honors former U.S. Rep. David Hobson at Springfield Air National Guard Base Published May 22, 2014 By 1st Lt. Michael Gibson 178th Public Affairs SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The Ohio Air National Guard honored former U.S. Rep. David Hobson during a ceremony for the new 251st Cyber Engineering Installation Group and 269th Combat Communications Squadron building at the Springfield Air National Guard Base, May 21. The new 32,000 square foot facility, named the Hobson Cyberspace Communications Complex, is significant in supporting the U.S. Air Force and Ohio National Guard's federal, state and local missions. Hobson is an Ohio ANG veteran and served in Congress from 1991-2009. While in Congress, Hobson secured more than $200 million in federal funding for military projects that improved the lives and working conditions for National Guard members at home and overseas, including securing funding in 2009 for this facility. "You can advocate for this base because of the quality of people that works here. Not just now, but there is a history and tradition," said Hobson. Ohio Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst spoke about Hobson's contributions to the Guard as a veteran and congressman. "None of this would be here today without the support, dedication and commitment without Congressmen David Hobson," said Ashenhurst. "To be able to honor him with this state-of-the art facility named after him is huge for us." Col. Norman Poklar, 251st commander, expressed his appreciation to Hobson as well as other elected officials and current and former ONG leadership. "We had a lot of people that really stepped forward and helped us," said Poklar. "The support from Congressman Hobson was the key to this." The ceremony was concluded by a ribbon cutting in front the new complex. "This was tremendous ceremony to honor former Congressman Hobson and his contributions to the Ohio national guard and the 178th, 251st and 269th," said Maj. Gen. Mark Bartman, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and commander, Ohio Air National Guard. "This was a nice opportunity to say thank you for all the work that he's done and to formally recognize him for his efforts." The advanced technological features of the complex will significantly increase the 251st and 269th's capacity to support critical missions for command and control of cyberspace defense missions.