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TIM HUTCHINSON UNITED STATES SENATOR  ARKANSAS | ||
Contact: D.J. O'Brien (202) 224-2353
December 4, 2001
Defense Funding Bill Includes C-130J for LRAFB
–Senate Panel Approves Hutchinson Request–
Senator Tim Hutchinson today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has provided $71.3 million to deliver a C-130J aircraft, the latest and most advanced of the C-130 series, to the Little Rock Air Force Base. The funding is included in the fiscal 2002 Defense Appropriations bill.
"As we have seen in Afghanistan, C-130s are an integral part of American military operations, transporting personnel and equipment in and out of harm's way," said Hutchinson. "I fought for this funding so that the Little Rock Air Force Base can continue to prepare American airmen to handle dangerous missions safely and effectively."
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.
Since the House of Representatives failed to include funding for the C-130J in its Defense bill, approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee was vital to delivering the new aircraft to the Little Rock Air Force Base. The full Senate could approve the Defense bill 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."
Hutchinson serves as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
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