Letter to Norton Schwartz and Duncan McNabb, Anticipated Air Force Nominees

Letter

Letter to Norton Schwartz and Duncan McNabb, Anticipated Air Force Nominees

Durbin Asks for Meeting with Anticipated Air Force Nominees, Generals Schwartz and McNabb

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked both General Norton Schwartz and General Duncan McNabb for meetings to discuss their anticipated nominations to be the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command respectively. Durbin expressed interest in discussing the future of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base and the role of the Air Force Mobility Command to the joint military community.

"As you prepare for Senate confirmation on your anticipated nomination to serve as the next Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you," wrote Durbin. "The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a tremendous toll on military equipment, service members, and their families. There are lingering concerns over the failures in securing nuclear weapons and equipments. I am interested in your perspectives on these and related challenges facing the U.S. Air Force."

General Norton Schwartz is the current Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base. The U.S. Transportation Command is the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.

General Duncan McNabb is the current Vice Chief of Staff at U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C. As Vice Chief, he presides over the Air Staff and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group. He assists the Chief of Staff with organization, training and equipage of more than 710,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

[text of the letters below]

June 13, 2008

General Norton A. Schwartz
Commander, U.S. Transportation Command
508 Scott Drive
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225

Dear General Schwartz:

As you prepare for Senate confirmation on your anticipated nomination to serve as the next Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a tremendous toll on military equipment, service members, and their families. There are lingering concerns over the failures in securing nuclear weapons and equipments. I am interested in your perspectives on these and related challenges facing the U.S. Air Force.

In addition, I would like to talk about the future of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Base, including the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command transition to Illinois and associated jobs, and the role of the Air Force Mobility Command to the joint military community across the spectrum of conflict, from combat operations to humanitarian support and relief.

I appreciate you scheduling time to meet with me as you are considered for a very critical job at a very importance juncture in our country's history.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

June 13, 2008

General Duncan J. McNabb
Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force
1670 Air Force Pentagon, Room 4E938
Washington, DC 20330-1070

Dear General McNabb:

As you prepare for Senate confirmation on your anticipated nomination to serve as Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a tremendous toll on military equipment, service members, and their families. The U.S. Transportation Command is an integral part of the overall mission, delivering people and equipment around the globe. I am interested in your perspectives on these and related challenges facing the U.S. Transportation Command.

In addition, I would like to talk about the future of the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Base, including the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command transition to Illinois and associated jobs. I understand this move would be the fourth time in your career serving in southern Illinois, and I am interested in your perspective on the Command's future.

I appreciate you scheduling time to meet with me as you are considered for this important assignment.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

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