22-05-2025
Iowa Senator Ernst pushes for military construction funds for 185th
(KCAU) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst continues to ask the U.S. Air Force about the 185th Air Refueling Wing's runway project.
During Wednesday's Senate Committee on armed services hearing, the senator brought up the runway upgrade project.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin said the design work for the project is 65% complete, which is pass the minimum 35% design stage for military construction, or MILCON, projects in order for them to be submitted for congress' approval for funding.
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'I'd just like to know how many more times that I have to bring this up, in personal meetings, in my office, and in front of the committee to get a commitment to get the milcon done for this runway,' said Senator Joni Ernst.
'You've got my commitment. I will continue to push on this. The design work is now limiting any of the obstacles on our path to actually do it,' said is Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.
Ernst said the F16s were taken away from the 185th back in 2003, with the Air Force's commitment that when the unit got the KC135s, a runway would be built to support the aircraft's weight, but that hasn't happened yet.
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