By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
Mascoutah, IL – On Wednesday, a congressional conference committee approved $12 million to keep three of the medical transport planes flying at Scott over the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
However, the plane doesn't meet international noise standards and is too costly to retrofit so the bill includes funding to train crews on the C-40, a newer plane the U.S. Air Force wants to use as a replacement.
"What this means is that three planes will fly, that this unit will be here, plus the pilots will train on the C-40's," said Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL). "So, it's good news.""
Costello said existing experience with the C-9 gives Scott an advantage over other bases that may compete for a C-40 program.