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TIM HUTCHINSON UNITED STATES SENATOR  ARKANSAS | ||
Contact: D.J. O'Brien (202) 224-2353
December 20, 2001
Hutchinson: C-130J On Its Way to Little Rock Air Force Base
Senator Tim Hutchinson today announced that the final version of the fiscal 2002 Defense Appropriations bill provides $71.3 million to deliver a C-130J aircraft to the Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB). Hutchinson's amendment to the Defense Authorization bill secured authorization for funding the aircraft, the latest and most advanced of the C-130 series.
"Securing a C-130J for the Little Rock Air Force Base has been one of my top priorities since being elected to the Senate" said Hutchinson, who founded the Bipartisan C-130 Modernization Caucus in the Senate in 1999. "I fought for my amendment to authorize the funding so that the Little Rock Air Force Base will continue to be the premier C-130 training ground in the American military."
The Little Rock Air Force Base is known as the C-130 "Center of Excellence" and the "schoolhouse" for C-130 aircrews. The C-130 is a versatile aircraft capable of operating from rough dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and cargo into hostile areas. Compared to older C-130s, the C-130J climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hutchinson offered the C-130J amendment to the Defense Authorization bill in September, paving the way for funding of the plane in the Defense Appropriations bill. The House versions of both the Authorization and Appropriations bills did not include funding for the C-130J. The final Defense Appropriations bill is expected to be passed by both houses of Congress this week.
The Defense bill also includes $18.5 million for C-130J maintenance training devices and $4.5 million for C-130J logistics equipment at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Maintenance training devices are required for the training of C-130J aircraft maintenance personnel.
"In addition to being a valuable component of our nation's defense, the Little Rock Air Force Base has an enormous economic impact in central Arkansas," said Hutchinson. "I will continue to support its important and varied missions."
The Defense Appropriations bill is expected to be approved by the Senate Thursday evening.
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