Transcripts

Text transcript of 8/6/09 radio actuality.

The Secretary of the Army has approved a plan to modernize the A864 Apache helicopters that are stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base with the Missouri Army National Guard. They'll be improved as a Longbow helicopter and that fleet will begin arriving in October 2011.

It'll increase the size of the helicopters from 16 to 24, an additional 8 for the Army National Guard there in Whiteman Air Force Base. In addition, the 498th Munitions Maintenance Group's Headquarters staff will be moving from Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, to Whiteman Air Force Base. It's a small staff, only 12, but that's a step in the right direction.

As previously announced, Whiteman Air Force Base will increase it's active duty for the B-2 Wing by 234 additional airmen and five civilians, and, sometime next year; 101 reservists will go elsewhere. But, Whiteman Air Force Base does continue to grow in importance to the national security of our country.

This is Congressman Ike Skelton.