By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Missouri US Senator Eric Schmitt visited the 139th Airlift Wing base at Rosecrans Memorial Airport on Wednesday.
Schmitt met with leadership from the 139th as well as the city of St. Joseph and Buchanan County to learn more about the base and the men and women that serve from it.
Schmitt says one thing his visit reinforced is seeing in person how much of a community effort goes into the 139th.
"St. Joe, the men and women who serve here, this is a partnership and it's a model for the rest of the country," Schmitt tells reporters. "And also, the trainings that are done here for militaries all around the world, this is world class, and we want to make sure people around the country when I'm in Washinton we're talking about this, I think it's important to be here firsthand in my first year."
Schmitt calls the collaboration between the 139th and the city of St. Joseph unparalleled.
Schmitt also knows how vital the 139th is to the city and says there is no concern of losing the base.
"I can tell you how respected the 139th is across the board, when I'm in Washington talking about how proud we are of Whiteman Air Force Base, how proud we are of Fort Leonard Wood, and how proud we are of the 139th, its reputation precedes it," Schmitt says.
Schmitt says that's because of the hard work of the men and women at the base and their willingness to serve.
"I mean in being ready, I would say there's other places around the country but the 139th is always ready to step up, they're anticipating and they're there to serve, and that's invaluable," Schmitt explains.
In meetings with leadership Schmitt highlighted the funding for base infrastructure in the National Defense Authorization Act and also engaged with base leadership on other issues critical to the Air National Guard.
A long running issue in St. Joseph at the 139th is the status of receiving eight C-130J planes to upgrade from the current C-130H models at the base.
Schmitt says the effort to get the J models is one that Missouri congressional delegation supports fully.
"I feel a particular obligation to advocate as much as I can being on the Armed Services Committee, so we're going to continue to do it," Schmitt says. "There's more money for Js in this NDA Authorization, which is a good thing, we're going to fight to make sure they find their way here."
Schmitt highlighted those efforts to the men and women of the 139th during meetings highlighting the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.