Fischer Applauds Announcement on Offutt Runway

Press Release

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised today's decision by the U.S. Air Force to proceed with upgrading the runway at Offutt Air Force Base. Earlier today, the Air Force informed Senator Fischer that it plans to pursue construction that will extend the life of Offutt's runway by about 20 years. Design work will begin this fall and construction of the new runway is expected to begin in 2018 at a cost of approximately $55 million.

Fischer has been deeply involved in accelerating this process and met with U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James at the Pentagon in April to discuss this progress. Senator Fischer released the following statement this afternoon:

"Today's announcement is great news for Offutt, our military, and Nebraska. This decision will provide much-needed certainty to Offutt and allow the base to continue its critical role in defending our nation for decades to come. I also want to thank Air Force Secretary James and General Welsh for their leadership throughout this process and steadfast commitment to making the runway a priority."

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Fischer has been working closely for nearly four years with Offutt Air Force Base leadership and top Air Force officials to advance the runway replacement. Funding for the current runway study was secured in the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill Fischer helped draft as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

In April, Senator Fischer joined the head of the U.S. Air Force, Secretary Deborah Lee James, for a breakfast meeting at the Pentagon where they discussed Air Force priorities, the progress of Offutt Air Force Base's runway, and the successful execution of planned runway repair.

Also in April, Senator Fischer met with Air Force chief of staff General Mark A. Welsh III at his personal residence in Fort Myer. There, they discussed the runway replacement and other issues related to the 55th Wing and STRATCOM. Together, Secretary James and General Welsh represent the Air Force's senior-most leadership.

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