For Release: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

HOUSE COMMITTEES APPROVE SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE PROJECTS

$105 Million Approved for new C-40C

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the House Armed Services Committee and the House Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee have approved projects for Scott Air Force Base.

The Armed Services Committee approved $105 million for a new C-40C aircraft for the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott as part to the Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) Defense Authorization bill. This would be the fifth C-40 acquired since 2004 – over $458 million - as part of a plan led by Costello to replace the C-9 aircraft currently in use by the 932nd, which supports 1,000 jobs. The authorization will allow money to be appropriated in the FY10 Defense Appropriations bill for the new plane, which will occur later this summer. The Defense Authorization bill will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

The Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee approved $7.4 million for an Aeromedical Evaluation Facility at Scott. Currently, Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron operations and training is in four separate facilities, and is affected by flooding, a leaking roof and inadequate HVAC and electrical systems. It is estimated that the new facility would reduce mission preparation time by 5,000 hours per year. The Military Construction-VA appropriations bill will next be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee, and then the full House of Representatives.

“While we are early in the appropriations process, this is good news for Scott,” said Costello. “We will continue to work to make sure that Scott has the facilities and resources to complete its missions while providing a good quality of life for the brave men and women who serve there.”

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