Senator Clinton Meets with Members of the Schenectady Military Affairs Council

[The Straight Story]

Senator Clinton Meets with Members of the Schenectady Military Affairs Council in Washington, DC

Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton met with members of the Schenectady Military Affairs Council (SMAC) earlier this week to discuss current needs and concerns of the Stratton Air National Guard base. In 2005, Senator Clinton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, played a key role along with SMAC in preventing the removal of four C-130 Aircraft as part of the 109th Airlift Wing recommended by the Department of Defense (DoD) as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

“Following the BRAC Commission’s decision in 2005 to keep the C-130s at Stratton Air National Guard base, I pledged to continue to fight for that installation and to do whatever I can to ensure its long term future,” said Senator Clinton. “I was pleased to meet again with members of SMAC to discuss the next steps for Stratton and to once again reaffirm my commitment to the base. I look forward to further working with SMAC to help ensure Stratton's success.”

The Schenectady Military Affairs Council, composed of local community and government leaders, works to ensure the long-term viability and success of the Stratton Air National Guard Base, home to the 109th Airlift Wing. SMAC seeks to enhance the importance of the military presence in the Capital Region and to facilitate cooperation and communication between the 109th Airlift Wing and local communities, businesses and governments.

The 109th Airlift Wing is home to the Department of Defense’s only ski-equipped C-130 aircraft and is the single point airlift manager for the National Science Foundation scientific research mission in both the Arctic and Antarctic. In addition to the Airlift Wing, the New York State Military Naval Counterdrug Unit Headquarters and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support team call the base home.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=283821&&