Heinrich "Taco" Language Clears Conference Committee

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report on H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, with language included by U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) that would prohibit the retirement of the 150th Fighter Wing from Kirtland Air Force Base until the United States Secretary of the Air Force has submitted a detailed plan that includes the identification and description of a follow up mission for the Fighter Wing (commonly referred to as the "Tacos").

"The passage of this conference report is one of the final steps in ensuring the future viability of the Tacos," said Rep. Heinrich. "I am proud of the agreement reached by the House and Senate, but that does not mean our work is done. I will continue to fight for the Tacos so they can remain flying and that jobs remain intact."

A letter Rep. Heinrich sent to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton in August was instrumental in garnering support from the conference committee to prohibit the retirement of any identified fighter aircraft and the reassignment of any Air Force personnel associated with the Combat Air Forces restructuring plan.

"The Combat Air Forces Restructuring language in the House bill is a sensible solution that would allow the existing fighter aircraft to remain operational until the Air Force submits a detailed plan. In requesting this plan, we are executing a fundamental responsibility of Congress to provide the necessary oversight so that every agency, including the United States Department of Defense, pursues an effective strategy that will make our country safer and stronger," stated the letter.

The House approved the measure by a 281-146 vote. The annual defense authorization bill would guide the Pentagon budget for the fiscal year that began last week. The bill also included $22.5 million for Kirtland, including: $5.8 million for the Space Research Development Test and Evaluation Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base; $8 million for the MC--130J Simulator Facility and $8.7 million for the HC--130J Simulator Facility, both to be used by the 58th Special Operations Wings for flight simulation and training.
The measure now goes to the Senate for final congressional action and then on to the White House for President Obama's signature

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