"If President Obama has his way, his Air Force One arrival would be one of the final flights into Mansfield Lahm Airport," Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said. "Despite numerous reports highlighting the value of the 179th, and the critical capability they and their C-27J aircraft provide to our deployed soldiers, President Obama wants to do away with the mission for the 800 Guardsmen at the base." 

Though Carney was initially stumped on the matter, White House spokesman Josh Earnest later said Obama is "committed to working with the Department of Defense to find a mission for Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base." 

Portman on Wednesday put out a memo welcoming this statement but also questioning the details. "Since the new mission is unclear and has yet to be relayed to the Pentagon or the base itself, we hope that the president uses his campaign trip" to clarify, he said.