McCaskill Votes to Support Air Force Secretary Nominee After Extending Invitation to Visit Missouri's Military Installations

Press Release

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today voted to support Dr. Heather Wilson, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of the Air Force, after inviting her to Missouri to visit the state's defense installations.

"I had the chance to talk with Dr. Wilson about the important role Missouri's Air Force installations play in our national defense--a role she understands the need to support and grow as we face new threats from enemies around the world," said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. "I invited her to see our state's air defenses firsthand, and I'm looking forward to the hardworking men and women at Whiteman and the 139th showing her our state's proud tradition on the front lines of national security."

McCaskill is a longtime advocate for the Air Force in Missouri. Last year she helped secure a long-term funding strategy for the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, to help secure budget certainty after a recent visit to the 139th, which she has called the "top gun of airlift," as part of her Security and Defense Tour. Following the tour, she raised budget uncertainty concerns with top Pentagon officials, discussing the uniquely important role of the base's Advanced Airlift and Tactics Training Center and Weapons Instructor Course in training fliers from the National Guard and Active Duty, as well as visiting pilots from international partner countries--and why it's critical these courses get long-term funding for their long-term mission.

McCaskill also recently visited Whiteman Air Force Base for a briefing on the drone operations there, and has successfully pushed the Air Force for a strong plan to address the unique form of combat stress faced by the pilots. Since that time, the Air Force has adjusted the drone program to relieve stress on the force--in part, by boosting retention bonuses, and announcing plans to hire an additional 500 pilots. Last year's annual defense bill was shaped by McCaskill to include $29.5 million for construction of a consolidated operations facility at Whiteman, replacing the existing collection of temporary facilities currently dispersed around the base.

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