Nebraska Lawmaker Warns of Offutt Air Force Base’s Loss of Gear

(KFOR NEWS May 21,2019) (AP) – A Nebraska congressman is pushing the Air Force’s emergency request for $234 million to replace equipment and crew training simulators damaged by floodwaters that inundated the Offutt Air Force Base this spring. The Omaha World-Herald reports Rep. Don Bacon recently brought attention to the funding request in a letter to a House subcommittee. Bacon warned of the loss of defense capabilities that commanders are already experiencing in the field after the severe flooding in March. The request comes in addition to the $420 million Air Force officials are seeking to repair and rebuild at the base. The House passed a disaster assistance bill earlier this month. The Senate hasn’t taken action. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson says the base’s recovery work will stop July 1 if emergency funds aren’t issued.