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Tag: Air Force

Daines, Sheehy, Zinke, Downing Urge U.S. Air Force to Address Delayed Aircraft Delivery to Montana Air National Guard

January 8, 2026

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Congressmen Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02) today sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink expressing concern about continued delivery delays in C-130J aircraft to the Montana Air National Guard. “We write to you today to express our concern regarding continued delays in C-130J aircraft deliveries to the Montana Air National Guard and to emphasize the importance of timely receipt. The Montana Air National Guard 120th Airlift Wing currently operates a fleet of 8 C-130Hs, all of which are scheduled to be replaced

Daines Secures Critical Support for Montana Air Service in FAA Reauthorization

May 9, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and helped secure major wins for Montana air service, passengers and pilots. “In rural states like Montana, access to safe, reliable air service is essential. This bill will help protect passengers, address workforce shortages and increase affordable travel opportunities. This is a win for Montana,” Daines said. Montana Wins Secured in the FAA Reauthorization:

Daines, Tester Congratulate Ashleigh Lehotsky of Great Falls on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment

May 23, 2016

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today congratulated Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School graduate Ashleigh Lehotsky on her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Daines and Tester both nominated Lehotsky and called to congratulate her. Ashleigh Lehotsky is a graduate of Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School and is currently a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.  While in high school she was President of Key Club, received the Outstanding Engineering Student Award and was First Chair on the CMR Symphonic Band. Lehotsky was the 2014 AA State Track and Field Shot Put Champion and holds the CMR Shot

Daines Addresses Montana’s Veterans Long-Standing Concerns

May 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today moved forward important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to healthcare services.  This afternoon, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes many of Daines’ reforms that address Montana’s veterans long-standing concerns.  “I am proud to secure important priorities for Montana on behalf of those that served our nation in uniform,” Daines stated.  Daines also successfully included an amendment during the committee process protects veterans’ ability to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.   The amendment would

Daines Leads ICBM Coalition Urging Defense Department to Expedite Security of Nuclear Weapons

May 18, 2016

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led the bipartisan ICBM coalition urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to outline a clear plan for the security of the nuclear missiles stationed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming following the news that the Department of Defense failed to approve the Air Forces’ request for a faster acquisition process.  In a letter to DoD Secretary Ash Carter, the members expressed their concerns with DoD’s announcement to proceed with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns. “We write to express serious concerns with the absence of an appropriate and timely path to replace

Daines, Zinke Introduce Measures Demanding Answers to Secure Nuclear Missiles

May 12, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced measures that aim to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) secures the nation’s nuclear assets.    Daines’ bill directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to tell Congress within five days how they will secure nuclear missiles made vulnerable by the insufficient capability of the UH-1N, and implement the necessary mitigation with additional resources within sixty days. Zinke introduced a similar bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that aims to address the security shortfalls of

Daines’ Bill to Allow Women World War II Pilots Inurnment at Arlington Heads to President Obama’s Desk

May 12, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to allow women World War II pilots to be eligible for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery is headed to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The U.S. House of Representatives last night passed Daines’ legislation following unanimous Senate passage on May 11, 2016. “This is a wrong that needed to be made right and I’m proud to be part of restoring benefits to our WWII women pilots who trained right here in Montana,” Daines stated. “With the President’s signature, our women pilots will now have the honor that they have always deserved.” Click here to watch Daines’

Daines Announces UH-1N Helicopter Replacement Decision

May 11, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Following a meeting with U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Air Force will be going with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns that provide security for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The Air Force had the option to utilize existing contracts for Blackhawk helicopters and secure the ICBMs up to two years faster, or enter into a normal acquisition process.  “We have an obligation to secure our nuclear weapons at Malmstrom,” Daines stated. “Right now, our world’s most powerful weapons are sitting unsecured in

Daines Stands Up for Montana Veterans, WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots & VA Accountability

April 28, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today stood up for Montana veterans, WWII Women Air Service Pilots who trained in Great Falls and worked to increase accountability at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Daines secured numerous provisions to address Montana veterans’ long standing concerns in Senator Johnny Isakson’s (R-GA) Veterans First Act, which was introduced earlier today. Daines’ provisions include: Veterans Choice Act Improvement  Major components of Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 were included in the Veterans First Act. Some of Daines’ reforms include an overall reform of the VA to help rural veterans by establishing

Daines Presses Defense Secretary on Much-Needed Huey Helicopter Upgrades

April 27, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today pressed Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter on the timeline to upgrade Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters to provide much-needed security for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed at Malmstron Air Force Base (AFB). During this morning’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the proposed FY 2017 U.S. Department of Defense budget, Daines worked to secure a timeline for new equipment to protect America’s nuclear missiles.   “Given the increased risk for terrorism here at home, I am concerned at how low on the priority list this appears to be,” Daines stated. “The Air Force still has not decided how they’re