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| Wilson Gains Approval of Over $40 Million for The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland |
April 30, 2002 |
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Funds approved by House Military Procurement Subcommittee
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced that the House Armed Services Military Procurement Subcommittee has approved over $40 million for two projects at Kirtland Air Force Base that she requested. Wilson has consistently worked to maintain Kirtland Air Force Base and keep its missions strong so that when there is another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in 2005, Kirtland will be in good shape. Last year, Wilson secured $7.3 million for 58th Special Operations Wing projects.
“The 58th Special Operations Wing trains our special operations and search and rescue crews. They need to be the best of the best,” said Wilson. “This money will upgrade the Wing’s aircraft so that our men and women in uniform have the best training to be prepared to do the jobs we ask them to do.”
The Subcommittee has agreed to provide $29.5 million, at Wilson’s request, to upgrade the HH-60G PAVE HAWK helicopter to match those in combat squadrons. The upgrade includes equipping the aircraft with 701C engines, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems, and helicopter infrared suppression systems (HIRSS). This funding will allow for the upgrade of the 58th Special Operations Wing’s 13 helicopters.
The Subcommittee has also approved $11.6 million to configure the Wing’s MC-130P aircraft with the Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI). The UARRSI is the receptacle, hydraulic fuel lines, and electrical connections that make the aircraft air refuelable. All but two MC-130P’s in operational units are modified with the UARRSI for air refueling. None of the four MC-130P’s used for training at Kirtland are currently modified.
The 58th Special Operations Wing’s mission is to train mission-ready special operations, rescue, missile site support, Distinguished Visitor (DV) airlift advanced helicopter, and MC-130 aircrew students. The unit provides the manpower and airlift needed in response to crises around the world and assists civilian authorities in regional rescues.
Tomorrow, the full House Armed Services Committee is expected to approve these requests.
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