Durbin Statement on General McDew's Senate Confirmation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement congratulating General Darren McDew on his confirmation as the next commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, located at Scott Air Force Base. General Darren McDew currently heads the Air Mobility Command, also located at Scott Air Force Base. A photo of Durbin’s meeting with General McDew in Washington on July 9, 2015 can be accessed here.
“After many years of Air Force service – including time in three leadership positions at Scott Air Force Base – I am confident that General McDew is well-qualified to continue USTRANSCOM’s track record of success. Congratulations to General McDew on his speedy confirmation by the United States Senate. I am glad that he and his family will continue to call Scott home,” Durbin said.
General Darren McDew was confirmed by the Senate to take over as Commander of Air Mobility Command in April 2014. General McDew served previously at Scott as Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing and as Vice Commander of the 18th Air Force. He began his career as a C-17 and C-130 pilot, and has served in numerous capacities in Washington, D.C., including as Chief of the U.S. Senate U.S. Air Force Liaison Division.
Durbin serves as Vice Chairman of 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 military operations worldwide. All told, the Subcommittee controls more than half of the nation’s annual discretionary budget.