For Release: Friday, May 13, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO, SHIMKUS, DURBIN ANNOUNCE SCOTT AFB IS NOT ON BRAC LIST

Washington - U.S. Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Scott Air Force Base is not on the recommended Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list released by the Defense Department.  In addition, Scott is expected to gain almost 800 new jobs, receive 12 new KC-135R aircraft and add the Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and a Logistics Support Center .

"The fact that Scott is not on the recommended closure list is great news and is the result of 10 years of hard work," said Costello.  "When the last BRAC was completed in 1995, we immediately started preparing for the next BRAC by pursuing ways to strengthen Scott by upgrading facilities, adding missions and improving the quality of life for the men and women at Scott.  We have made the case all along that Scott was in great position to add missions, and that effort has paid off today."

"Both our legislative efforts to promote and expand the mission of Scott, as well as the community's work to make Scott more viable, have been successful!  The Illinois delegation - including Speaker Hastert and our Senators - have been united in support for Scott.  I am also thrilled for the greater region.for the employees of Scott, for the military retirees that utilize Scott, and for the many ancillary businesses that benefit from the largest employer in southern Illinois."

"Scott Air Force Base is an irreplaceable national security asset, and I am very pleased that the Pentagon made the right decision by not including Scott on today's list of proposed base closures.  The new jobs that will come to the area are especially good news for the community," said Durbin.  "While its national security role is undeniable, Scott Air Force Base is also about people.  It has strong community and state support, employs more than 14,000 Illinois and Missouri residents and contributes more than $1.6 billion annually to the region's economy.  I look forward to working with Congressmen Jerry Costello and John Shimkus, Governor Rod Blagojevich and local leaders as we continue to support the men and women who serve at Scott Air Force Base."

Costello noted that many groups, organizations and individuals deserve credit for helping to save Scott:  the Illinois Congressional delegation, notably Speaker Dennis Hastert; state officials, including Governor Blagojevich and former Governor Ryan; local officials from all over the region, most notably John Baricevic; and the business community, led by the Southwest Illinois Leadership Council.

Proposed Additions/Changes at Scott Air Force Base:

• Add 797 net jobs. 
• Receive 12 KC-135Rs from Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND.  KC-135Es currently at Scott would be retired, for a net gain of four planes.  The planes will be part of the 126 th Air Refueling Wing.
• Receive Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command from Fort Eustis, VA.   This is the Army's version of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, which is headquartered at Scott. 
• An Air Force Logistics Support Center will be located at Scott, drawing on five major command regional supply squads that are being realigned. 
• The inpatient mission at the 375th medical group will be disestablished and the hospital will be converted to a clinic with an ambulatory surgery center.

Costello noted that their work is not over. They must continue to evaluate ways to enhance Scott throughout the BRAC process and into the future.

The BRAC list now goes to the nine-member BRAC Commission for review.  The Commission will hold hearings and report its recommendations to President Bush by September 8.  It is very unlikely that a base will be added to the original list, as it takes seven of the nine commissioners to approve such a decision. 

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