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| Wilson Welcomes House Passage of New $6.6 Million Kirtland Flight Simulator |
November 18, 2005 |
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| House Passes Support for Veterans Healthcare
Washington, DC –Congresswoman Heather Wilson today hailed House passage 427-6 of the $6.6 million flight simulator facility she requested for Kirtland Air Force Base in the Military Construction and Veterans Quality of Life Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2528).
The $45.4 billion funding bill, which includes priorities such as healthcare for veterans and housing for military families, now goes to the Senate for a final vote on the conference report. Among the bill’s highlights is a requirement for a comprehensive study on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The new simulator facility at KAFB, a $6.6 million military construction project, will include a two-story section to house the simulator, while the rest of the one-story building will extend out to house training rooms, technical support, computers and control systems.
“Kirtland is already one of the top training bases in the Air Force, and this new facility increases that key role and creates jobs,” Wilson said. “Our national security needs demand that we support our dedicated men and women in the military with quality bases, equipment and training. Keeping Kirtland in great shape is a continuing priority.”
Plans call for the simulator to be in operation by the end of fiscal year 2007 to train Air Force crews of the HC-130 P, the extended range combat search and rescue version of C-130 Hercules transport.
The bill again improves healthcare for veterans, funding for veterans medical services at $22.5 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion over this year and marking a two-year increase of 18 percent. Funding for Mental Health Services for veterans is doubled to $2.2 billion, and total veterans benefits are boosted $1.9 billion.
Other highlights of the bill for New Mexico include $15 million to Holloman Air Force Base for a fire station, and $13.2 million to Cannon Air Force Base to replace a Fuel and Loading Storage Facility.
The bill places a focus on improving housing for service members and their families with $4 billion in funding.
“We have made important commitments to our veterans,” Wilson said. “We will continue to fund healthcare and educational opportunities for those who’ve served.”
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