Thursday, September 27, 2001
Changes at Dyess could include
new C-130 center
By Sidney Schuhmann
Reporter-News Staff Writer
In separate announcements Wednesday, lawmakers
learned Dyess Air Force Base will lose bombers, but gain missions
and possibly a new C-130 operations center.
Though funding for the $16.8 million C-130
building was not in the U.S. House of Representatives’ version
of the defense appropriations bill, it was included in the Senate
version.
The final version of the appropriations
bill will be reconciled by a joint committee of Senate and House
members next week, returned to each chamber for approval and submitted
to President Bush for his signature.
Also Wednesday, Air Force Secretary James
Roche sent a letter to Texas lawmakers outlining changes for the
7th Bomb Wing at Dyess in 2002, including the deactivation of
eight of the base’s 40 B-1s.
The loss of bombers was anticipated as the
Air Force cuts the nation’s B-1 fleet from 93 to 60. Money
saved from downsizing the fleet will be used to fund upgrades
on the bombers.
Dyess will continue to provide initial bomber
training for all B-1 air crews, and it will gain two missions
— an advanced B-1 weapons training school at Ellsworth AFB
in South Dakota and the B-1 operational test and evaluation mission.
Further details about the missions were unavailable.
The Air Force announced in July that Dyess
will receive 115 additional B-1 personnel next year. Roche’s
letter said Dyess won’t receive any additional personnel
than was previously announced, indicating that the 115 may be
tied to the new missions.
Dyess officials said they have not seen
the details of Roche’s plan.
The new C-130 building is a priority, said
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who requested the money for the
center.
“The attacks of Sept. 11 reminded us
that we must invest in our nation’s defense, which means
our military must be equipped with the most advanced and updated
facilities in the world,” the Texas Republican said.
Hutchison is the ranking member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee’s military construction subcommittee.
HR 2904, the Military Construction Appropriations Act for fiscal
year 2002, passed the Senate 97-1.
Dyess is also set to receive $3.3 million
to move its dental offices three blocks from the airfield to the
base’s clinic.
This is the second year Dyess has tried
to secure a new C-130 operations center. C-130 cargo planes haul
equipment, supplies and troops. They also perform humanitarian
relief missions.
The 84,700-square-foot operations center
would house Dyess’ two C-130 squadrons. The base has 29 of
the transport planes. The center is currently located in five
1950s-era buildings that are so cramped that eight airmen share
offices meant for three.
“They’re pretty old,” said
Col. John Tappan, commander of the 317th Airlift Group, which
operates the C-130s. “It’s time for them to be replaced.
The guys are looking forward to it.”
Tappan said the funding is great news, but
“we’re not at the end yet.”
“Obviously, we’re getting great
support on the Hill,” he said.
Contact military writer Sidney Schuhmann
at 676-6721 or schuhmanns@abinews.com
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©2001, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps.
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