Hatch Protects Critical Funding for HAFB

HATCH PROTECTS CRITICAL FUNDING FOR HAFB

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) led the Senate Air Force Caucus to secure language in the Department of Defense Authorization bill to press the Air Force to continue its six-year depot maintenance investment plan. The United States Senate unanimously passed the authorization bill today.

"This investment plan is critical for Hill," Hatch said. "We survived this BRAC round, and we need continued funding to ensure that Hill remains one of the nation's premier military depots."

The Air Force investment plan provides $150 million annually over six years to enhance the Air Force's maintenance repair and overhaul operations. Currently at its halfway point, the investment plan has helped Hill Air Force Base expand its software engineering division and implement new "Lean" manufacturing principles that have produced 100 percent on-time delivery rates for many maintenance programs at Hill.

"Many are concerned that this vital depot maintenance plan will be cut short," Hatch said. "We are halfway through the six-year plan, and we have made enormous progress. But the Air Force must keep going and complete the full six years."

http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1477&Month=11&Year=2005