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Fighter jets' return boosts K.Falls' economy
Comments 0KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- The return of Kingsley Field employees who were temporarily transferred to Idaho this summer comes with economic benefits for Klamath Falls.
For more than six months, a rotating group of Oregon Air National Guard members have been in Boise, Idaho, where the 173rd Fighter Wing trained F-15 fighter pilots while the Klamath Falls Airport runway was reconstructed. About 200 Guard members were deployed to Idaho daily during the construction project.
The 22 fighter jets returned last week, along with the personnel who maintain the planes.
Col. Jim Miller, 173rd Fighter Wing Commander, predicts Guard members who are back from the deployment will be spending some of their per diem pay in Klamath Falls.
“I can’t promise anything,” Miller said, but he’s optimistic.
Guard members earned $49 per day through Sept. 31, and $51 per day since Oct. 1 for meals and incidental costs.
According to U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., Kingsley Field contributes $69 million to the regional economy annually.
About 1,000 people work at the base.
Capt. Lucas Ritter, 173rd Fighter Wing spokesman, said the total amount of wages paid to employees at Kingsley Field was not available. Half of Kingsley employees are paid through the base, while the federal government pays the rest directly. Salaries and benefits through Kingsley Field total about $22 million annually, he said.
On average, the salary and benefits per employee account for $79,000 each year, Ritter said.
“I would certainly think they’re good paying jobs,” Ritter said. “You can certainly support a family on the wage you get here.”
He hopes all Guard members support local businesses.
“We’re members of this community,” he said.
Guard personnel coach and volunteer for different organizations. Some even own businesses in Klamath County.
Ritter believes that while the Guard was temporarily relocated, businesses were impacted.
He went to a barber shop recently and was told that the barber primarily works with military clients.
“He noticed it,” Ritter said.
Now, though, things should get back to normal.
