U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh this week to discuss the future of Illinois’ Air Force installations.
Air Force bases in Illinois include Scott Air Force Base, 932nd Airlift Wing, 126th Air Refueling Wing and the 183rd Fighter Wing.
Both officials discussed the contributions these installations have made to the Air Force, as well as the long-term contributions the installations can continue to make to the nation’s defense.
“Illinois installations like Scott Air Force Base, Springfield’s 183rd Fighter Wing and Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing have long played an important role in our nation’s defense,” Durbin said.
Durbin also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which manages military intelligence funding, oversees the nation’s national security requirements and tends to the needs of over 2 million active-duty and reserve service members.
Durbin met with Welsh concerning the installations in January 2015, and Durbin plans to meet with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James later this week.
“I will continue working with General Welsh to ensure that the Air Force has a bright future in our state,” Durbin said.
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