Big Win for the 911^th Airlift Wing

House Votes to Start Construction Project to Bring C-17 Squadron to Pittsburgh IAP

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2016
Contact: Murphy Press 202.225.2301

(Washington, DC) – This week the House passed both the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4909) and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 4974). H.R. 4909 authorizes the Department of Defense to start the construction necessary to establish an Air Force squadron of C-17’s at the Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station, home of the 911^th Airlift Wing and H.R. 4974 provides the $85 million required to carry out this congressional directive. 

“This is a tremendous win for Pittsburgh and greater Western Pennsylvania. For years, the 911^th Airlift Wing has stood head and shoulders above the rest as one of the most efficient, skilled and mission ready airlift units in the country,” said Murphy. “With a new C-17 squadron we’ll continue to enhance our national security, create jobs, and boost our economy. I want to thank our service men and women of the 911^th Airlift Wing for their hard work and dedication, for it is they who deserve the credit for this great accomplishment.”

At the urging of Congressman Murphy, the President’s budget request included plans to construct much needed infrastructure and expansion to bring eight C-17 aircraft to Pittsburgh to replace eight of the aging C-130s over the next several years. The legislation passed this week by the House is the next step in finalizing the construction project. Once the construction is finalized, the eight C-17 planes will be brought in for permanent housing at the 911^th. 

Murphy has been spearheading the bipartisan effort among Pennsylvania legislators to establish an Air Force squadron of C-17’s at the Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station. Murphy has been pushing his colleagues on Appropriations and Armed Services to complete this project so the 8 C-17 planes can be moved into the Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station. In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah L. James and to the House Appropriators, Murphy laid out the strategic and cost-effective benefits of establishing the C-17 squadron at the 911^th Airlift Wing. 

PASSED THE HOUSE: 

Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs Appropriations (H.R.4974):  
Air Force Reserve
Pittsburgh IAP         

            C-17 ADAL Fuel Hydrant System – $22.8 million

            C-17 Construction/Overlay Taxiway and Apron – $8.2 million

            C-17 Construct Two Bay Corrosion/Fuel Hangar – $54 million

PASSED THE HOUSE:

Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4909): 

SEC. 2605. AUTHORIZED AIR FORCE RESERVE CONSTRUCTION AND LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS.

Using amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in section 2606 and available for the National Guard and Reserve as specified in the funding table in section 3002, the Secretary of the Air Force may acquire real property and carry out military construction projects for the Air Force Reserve locations inside the United States, and in the amounts, set forth in the following table:

Air Force Reserve
----------------------------------------------------------------------
State                Location                            Amount 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania   Pittsburgh IAP                 $85,000,000

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Murphy Press | Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18)
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