HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES $5.3 MILLION FOR SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE

Washington- A key U.S. House of Representatives Committee approved over $5 million for two projects at Scott Air Force Base, funding requested by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL).

"I am pleased that I was able to convince appropriators that these are two important projects for Scott Air Force Base and the entire community," said Costello. "Both of these intiatives are vital to the continued success of Scott Air Force Base."

The funding was approved by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations. Its action is considered a significant step toward final approval by the Congress, expected in the next few weeks.

Funding included in the FY 2001 Military Construction Bill includes:

  * $3.83 million for a Munitions Storage Facility. For the construction of a munitions storage facility for the three existing wings at the Base which include the 375th Airlift Wing, the 932nd Airlift Wing and the 126th Air Refueling Wing. The current munitions facility is inadequate to store the required amount of munitions, especially in light of the fact that the Base recently acquired the National Guard’s Air Refueling Wing which relocated to Scott AFB from O’Hare International Airport last Summer.

  * $1.5 million for the KC-135E Flight Training Unit. This funding will provide for construction of a 4,575 square foot facility containing classrooms, briefing rooms and mission support areas for the flight training mission. This facility will be collocated with the KC-135E Flight Simulator Facility which will be provided under BRAC. Construction of the flight training facility will bring new missions to Scott Air Force Base.