$ 768 Billion Defense Bill Includes Raise For Military And Funding Of Offutt Projects | Government and politics

In addition to funding Offutt, the bill provides for $ 11 million to build barracks on the Nebraska National Guard training site near Mead, about 30 miles west of Omaha.

* Accelerated procurement of mission systems and engines for the 55th Squadron’s new EC-37B Compass Call electronic fighter aircraft based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

A provision directing the Air Force to seek ways to increase the operational availability of the 55th Wing’s RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance jets at Offutt.

* A provision that encourages the Air Force to move forward with the replacement of the 45-year-old E-4B Nightwatch aircraft with a new airframe.

* Encouraging the Pentagon to expedite plans to build a new laboratory for the Prisoner of War Accounting Agency / MIA. The current laboratory, which opened in 2013, is located in the former Glenn L. Martin bomber plant, which was built in 1941.

* A continuation of full funding of replacements for various parts of the country’s nuclear arsenal and a ban on reducing ICBMs from the current 400.

Jeff Fortenberry, a member of whose county Offutt is a part, supported the bill. He said in a statement that he was glad to see the raise for troops and funding for nuclear guidance, control and communications.