WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense nominee Dr. Ashton Carter, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) pressed for priorities that will support jobs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Brown urged support for Wright-Patterson’s bid to host 12 KC-46A refueling tankers and for an increase in military construction funding to enhance the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), headquartered at Wright-Patterson.
The AFLCMC oversees Air Force weapon systems from their creation through their retirement. In December 2014, Brown urged the Air Force to include $65 million for the AFLCMC in its Fiscal Year 2016 budget to consolidate operations at the Center, improving functionality and cutting costs.
“Wright-Patterson Air Force Base benefits the Miami Valley economy and is critical to our nation’s security,” Brown said. “The U.S. Department of Defense must prioritize its funding and missions. Enhancing the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and bringing a new refueling mission to Wright-Patt will strengthen our efforts to make the base BRAC-proof.”
Brown has worked to guarantee that Wright-Patterson receives funding and resources necessary to preserve jobs in the Miami Valley. Last week, Brown applauded the inclusion of more than $6.6 million for Wright-Patterson in President Obama’s budget to replace the Kittyhawk satellite pharmacy. In June 2014, Brown announced $29.5 million in new federal funding to expand and strengthen operations at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) headquartered at Wright-Patterson. Brown has fought to expand NASIC’s mission in Ohio.
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