Click here to view and download photos of today’s meeting.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met today with Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. The meeting focused on Air Force procedures for ensuring adequate maintenance and mission availability for the planes headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

“Secretary Wilson and I had a productive meeting today. Our conversations covered the systems the Air Force has in place to maintain the C-135 airframes at Offutt Air Force Base and the processes used to monitor the health of the fleet. We also discussed what’s coming next for these planes and how we can continue working together to keep the airmen of the 55^th Wing safe,” said Senator Fischer.  

In June, Senator Fischer led the Nebraska delegation in a letter to Secretary Wilson where the members asked for clarification on possible issues with the planes at Offutt. Click here to read a copy of the letter. 

During their meeting today, Secretary Wilson delivered the Air Force’s response to Senator Fischer. Click here to read that response. 

Senator Fischer was instrumental in including language in the Senate Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to upgrade critical planes at Offutt. This includes new planes to replace the OC-135B for Open Skies missions and new planes to upgrade the WC-135 Constant Phoenix, as well as funds to upgrade the RC-135s.

Senator Fischer is a member of the NDAA conference committee and will continue to push this critical issue for Offutt as House and Senate negotiators agree on a final version of the bill.