Lincoln Journal Star Editorial - Teamwork Paves Way to Good Decision

News Article

By Journal Star Editorial Board

Military spending decisions are notoriously subject to political machinations that don't always align properly with the public interest.

So it's a relief that the Air Force has approved the expenditure of more than $50 million to make extensive repairs on the crumbling runway at the Offutt Air Force Base.

As Rep. Jeff Fortenberry put it, "This is a good decision…made after thorough analysis."

The commitment means the Air Force can continue to benefit from the investment the military has already made in Offutt facilities, and from the existing community infrastructure that helps support the base.

There had been concern that the 55th Wing could be moved from Offutt if the runway was not repaired or replaced. The runway was in such poor condition that teams of military personnel searched it regularly on foot to pick up loose pieces of concrete before they were sucked into jet engines.

The funding committed to repairs is about half the amount it would take to replace the runway. Military officials said repairs would keep the runway operational for about 20 years and allow the rest of the money to be used elsewhere.

Congratulations are due to the teamwork that Nebraskans displayed in the effort to make sure that the military budget process stayed on track.

The Offutt Air Force Base Task Force founded by Fortenberry included Gov. Pete Ricketts and Rep. Adrian Smith, as well as Fortenberry and Ashford. Notably Nebraska's most powerful Republicans worked shoulder to shoulder with Ashford, the lone Democrat in the state's congressional delegations, and even credited him in celebratory press releases when the announcement was made.

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