(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers recently made another visit to Fairchild Air Force Base to meet with Fairchild leadership and 38 Airmen preparing to deploy to countries around the world.

“The men and women at Fairchild Air Force Base are serving critical missions in the Global War on Terror,” said McMorris Rodgers. “It is always an honor to see these men and women off when they deploy and I look forward to the day when I can welcome them home. I want to thank them and their families for their service, sacrifice and dedication to our country.”

While at Fairchild, McMorris Rodgers also discussed the relationship between the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington State Air National Guard and the 92nd Air Refueling Wing of the U.S. Air Force. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission mandated that the two units “associate” after the KC-135s assigned to the 141st were moved to Sioux Falls, Iowa.

“During this visit I sat down with Col. Bulkley, commander of the 141st, and Col. Sharpy, base commander of Fairchild and the 92nd,”continued McMorris Rodgers. “I was encouraged by the many examples of teamwork, but there still is a lot that needs to be worked out. It is important that all the stakeholders—the leadership of the Washington National Guard, the State and the leadership of the Air Force—come to the table willing to find a solution that allows us to move forward. This is especially important as we look down the road to the KC-X and what that means to our Eastern Washington community. I will continue to do everything I can to help the two sides facilitate an agreement.”