Springfield’s 183rd Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, would receive a flying mission once again under an amendment proposed by Illinois’ two U.S. senators.

The amendment, made to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the U.S. Senate is currently debating, would allow the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force to transfer A-10, F-16, F-15E/X or F-35 aircraft to the local Guard unit, which is housed at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

The 183rd Wing flew F-16s until the mid-2000s. It now serves as a repair facility for F-16 engines and as an Air Operations Group.

“Springfield’s 183d Wing has a long history of flying missions to protect our nation dating back to 1948,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in a statement. “I’m proud to file this important amendment with Senator Durbin that would make sure the 183d Wing flies once again, and I’ll keep working alongside the Illinois National Guard on this issue.”

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, said he wants to make sure the Wing remains a priority for the Department of Defense.

“We must continue to support the future of the 183rd Wing by finding ways for the Air National Guard to benefit both from the installation’s potential and its proven record of success,” Durbin said in the statement.

The 183rd began operating in Springfield on Sept. 30, 1948, when it flew P-51 Mustang fighters. The unit has flown F-16s since 1989, but lost that role after a review by the Base Realignment and Closure commission in 2005.

The unit had 17 jets, which started leaving Springfield a few at a time in 2008 to bases elsewhere, including Texas, Vermont and Indiana.