Ryan Zinke: “2 weeks ago, when I held events across Montana to finally welcome our Vietnam veterans home and present them with the…”

“2 weeks ago, when I held events across Montana to finally welcome our Vietnam veterans home and present them with the 50th Anniversary Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, many of these veterans were surprised to find out that the same UH-1 Novembers that they flew in in Vietnam are still in service today. Even more astonishing is that these 50-year helicopters are still used to protect our national nuclear missile sites. Mr. Chair, I commend our men and women in uniform who are still able to maintain these aircraft in a constant state of readiness, but, in reality, the Huey is incapable of meeting the mission requirements they face today. In fact, they have failed multiple exercises, not from personnel issues but from equipment issues. This amendment will provide the funding that is necessary for the Air Force to expedite a full and open competition to replace these aging aircraft. It is critical we provide our men and women who protect our Nation's nuclear missiles and arsenals with the equipment that is capable of meeting the requirements of this important mission.”