05.20.14

Durbin Meets With Colonel Kyle Kremer Of Scott Air Force Base

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Scott Air Force Base’s 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander Colonel Kyle Kremer today. During the meeting, Durbin – who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees discretionary spending for our nation’s military, including bases – discussed the Scott’s long term future, community engagement, and his most recent visit to the base. A photo of today’s meeting is available here.

“The work done at Scott Air Force Base is critical for our country’s national defense and the region’s local economy,” Durbin said. “It was a pleasure meeting with Colonel Kremer today, who understands how important the surrounding community is to the Base’s work. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure a bright, long-term future at Scott.”

Last month, at Durbin’s request, newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James visited Scott Air Force Base to tour Scott’s Air Operations Center and the 126th Air Refueling Wing. They also met with civic and business leaders from nearby communities to discuss the strong local and regional support for the base. In March, also at Durbin’s request, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh toured the base and met with local leaders. General Welsh received a firsthand update on the base’s operations and the missions which the base’s various commands are pursuing.



Durbin chairs the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the military and intelligence community, the nation’s national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve service members. The Subcommittee also oversees funding for Overseas Contingency Operations, including the war in Afghanistan and other military operations worldwide. All told, the Subcommittee controls more than half of the nation’s annual discretionary budget.

The 375th Air Mobility Wing has more than 3,100 personnel and an annual budget of more than $130 million. The 375th provides aeromedical evacuation for patients, and provides operational support airlift for high priority passengers and cargo with a fleet of 18 C-21 aircraft.