Zinke Disappointed with Air Force Decision to Slow Roll Helos Replacement for Malmstrom

Press Release

Today the U.S. Air Force announced they will slow roll the acquisition of new helicopters for Malmstrom and other bases across the west which are home to America's nuclear missile defense system. Rather than efficiently meeting the critical need before them, the AF has decided to go through the notoriously slow and expensive acquisition process. Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke was able to secure $80 million for helicopter replacement in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, which will be voted on by the House next week.

Currently, Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey helicopters are used at Malmstrom Air Force Base as part of the nation's nuclear missile defense system. The Hueys are used by security forces at the missile fields. Recent exercises have demonstrated however that the Hueys do not have the range, speed, payload, or defensive systems to adequately meet the alert requirements set by the Air Force. Zinke has looked at the current options available to the Air Force and believes the UH-60M Black Hawk is the only helicopter currently available that can meet the requirements and be purchased in FY17. Because the AF currently flies these Black Hawks, the helicopters will not have to go through lengthy testing and certifications which cost millions of dollars and take years to complete. The push led by Zinke will save taxpayers millions while providing the men and women at Malmstrom AFB with a much needed upgrade to their equipment so they can continue their mission of safeguarding America's ICBMs.

Zinke said, "I've been working with the Air Force and the House Armed Services Committee for more than a year on this issue, and while I am pleased my language was approved by Committee and included in the NDAA, it is extremely disappointing the Air Force has chosen to punt once again. As a former Naval officer, I looked at the Hueys and I saw glaring weaknesses and vulnerabilities which put our nation and Malmstrom's mission at stake. There are helicopters that are readily available and will save the taxpayer money, yet leave it to the bureaucrats at the DoD to choose the most costly, inefficient route. I know the Black Hawk well from my time in the SEALs. It is fully capable, meets all the Air Force' requirements and stands ready to fill the need before us. This is not a mission that can fail. Our nuclear triad is at stake."

Rep. Zinke has been absolutely critical to replacing the aging Vietnam-era Huey helicopters with new Blackhawks which are better suited for the mission and come at a more reasonable cost. In March, Zinke announced he and a bipartisan coalition of 14 Members of Congress formally requested funding to replace the Vietnam-era helicopters at Malmstrom in the FY2017 Department of Defense Appropriations and the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act. A letter requesting the funds be included in the upcoming legislation was sent to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. Rep. Zinke is the only member of Montana's Congressional delegation on an Armed Services Committee. The letter to HASC can be found here. The letter to House Appropriations can be found here.

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