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Senator Fischer’s meeting with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James this morning.

WASHINGTON – This morning, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, joined the head of the U.S. Air Force, Secretary Deborah Lee James, for a breakfast meeting at the Pentagon. Fischer and James discussed Air Force priorities, the progress of Offutt Air Force Base’s runway, and the successful execution of planned runway repair thus far. 

Senator Fischer released the following statement regarding their meeting this afternoon:

“I enjoyed a productive conversation this morning with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. We had the opportunity to discuss the needed runway replacement at Offutt Air Force Base, and she reinforced that the Air Force remains on track and fully committed to moving forward. We expect a decision to be made in the coming months regarding the scope and scale of the project. Once these details are known, I will continue to work directly with the Air Force secretary to ensure the needed funding is provided.”

Earlier this week, Senator Fischer also had the opportunity to visit with General Mark A. Welsh III, who is the Air Force chief of staff, at his personal residence in Fort Myer. There, they discussed the runway replacement and other issues related to the 55th Wing and STRATCOM. Together, Secretary James and General Welsh represent the Air Force’s senior-most leadership.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Fischer has been working closely for nearly four years with Offutt Air Force Base leadership and top Air Force officials to advance the runway replacement. Funding for the current runway study was secured in the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill Fischer helped draft as a subcommittee chairman.

Background

Deborah Lee James serves as the 23rd secretary of the Air Force. She is responsible for the affairs of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and welfare of its nearly 664,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian airmen and airwomen and their families. She also oversees the Air Force’s annual budget of more than $139 billion.

General Welsh serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 664,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the secretary of the Department of Defense, National Security Council, and the president.

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