By Emily Wood & Associated Press
 
November 5, 2009
 
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon National Guard is returning to its Klamath Falls home base after the spending seven months in Boise, and many local businesses are glad to see them.
 
The unit began its relocation Tuesday. The first nine of 22 F-15 fighter jets are back at Kingsley Field. Along with the jets, about 250 Oregon Guard members have been in Boise while the Klamath Falls Airport runway underwent repairs and upgrades.
 
Grocery stores, hair salons and restaurants should benefit from their return. They say the ANG is a huge customer base.
 
"When they were here, we'd see them daily. They'd come in for lunches, often for dinner, bring their family, we've really missed them while they were gone," Red's Smokehouse Owner Pam Lee said.
 
Klamath Falls is facing an unemployment rate of 14.6 percent.
 
Officials have said the temporary arrangement was expected to generate from $3 million to $5 million for the Boise area economy.
 
The $25-million runway project was jointly funded by the Klamath Falls Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense. Another $16-million in Air Force-funded projects is also on the drawing board or underway for Kingsley Field, part of a 25-year development plan for the base.