The 179th Airlift Wing and Ohio Air National Guard officials are pleased with last Saturday's mission to an area of upstate New York, ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Base commander Colonel Gary McCue says one C-27J Spartan aircraft completed the round trip in about eight hours, delivering equipment and supplies.

Ohio Adjutant General, Major-General Deborah Ashenhurst, says "this domestic deployment shows how important an asset the C-27J is for the nation's governors, making it possible for the National Guard to deliver assistance quickly to citizens in need".

Col. McCue agrees, saying the mission proved the plane can land on small runways without damaging them.

McCue says this mission is another example of why the Defense Department and President Obama should keep the planes at the 179th.