WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Air Force announced Memphis will not be the preferred base location for eight new C-17 aircraft:

 

“I’m disappointed Memphis will not be receiving the C-17 unit.  As the logistics capital of the country, our city would have served as a great location for the C-17s.  I will continue communicating with the Air Force to see why Memphis was bypassed and will insist that our city be considered again should the environmental assessment in New York fail to pass,” said Congressman Cohen.

While Memphis is not the preferred alternative to receive a C-17 unit, it will remain on the list of reasonable alternatives until an environmental assessment of the preferred alternative at Stewart Air Force Base in New York is completed.  Memphis will retain its C-5 program.