Air Force One will land at the Iowa Air Guard Base
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement on the eve of President Obama's visit to Iowa. The President will arrive aboard Air Force One at the Iowa Air Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing base in Des Moines. Earlier this year, the Air Force announced a proposal to retire the 132nd's F-16's and eliminate 378 positions. Since that announcement, Loebsack has been working as the only member of Congress from Iowa serving on the House Armed Services Committee, to stop the Air Force's proposal. Loebsack's bipartisan initiative to prevent the elimination of Air National Guard positions and the retirement or transfer of Air National Guard aircraft, including the F-16's based in Des Moines, was approved by the House of Representatives last week as part of the annual defense policy bill known as the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.
"Iowans are proud of the 132nd's work and now the President will be able to see why. When it comes to hard work and performance, Iowa's 132nd Fighter Wing is truly second to none. The plan to eliminate Iowa Airmen's positions and retire their aircraft was short sighted for both taxpayers and national security. I am proud to have worked to stop this proposal and to fight for the men and women of the Iowa National Guard who have served our country and our state with great dedication and honor."
###
