(Washington, D.C.)  Tomorrow, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers will lead Spokane-area business and community leaders to the Pentagon to meet, for the first time, the two highest-ranking leaders of the U.S. Air Force.  The delegation will meet with Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz to discuss issues important to Fairchild Air Force Base.

“Right now, the men and women at Fairchild Air Force Base are flying air refueling tankers that are more than 50 years old.  We wouldn’t get on a passenger plane that old—our military shouldn’t have to rely on planes that old either,” McMorris Rodgers said.  “We look forward to hearing the Air Force’s plan to replace these tankers and base them at Fairchild AFB.  We’ll also praise the support from the Eastern Washington community that allows Fairchild AFB to remain a valuable asset for protecting our nation here and abroad.”

Tomorrow’s visit to the Pentagon is part of Greater Spokane Incorporated’s annual visit to Washington, D.C. where business, education and community leaders discuss issues important to Eastern Washington, including Fairchild Air Force Base.

"We thought about driving a ‘57 Ford to D.C. to make the point that the KC-135 refueling tankers must be replaced and that Fairchild AFB is ready to be the first operational base to accept them,” Greater Spokane President and CEO Rich Hadley said.  “We are the strategic bridge and thoroughfare to the Pacific and to Asia, and it’s important the Pentagon knows the Spokane community fully supports Fairchild’s mission.”

Contact:
Destry Henderson
202-225-2006
202-279-0418