By Tom Weber, KWMU
Washington, DC – The U.S. House Wednesday passed the budget for the nation's defense. That's the measure that includes $12 million to keep some C9 military airplanes flying next year at Scott Air Force Base.
The funding also includes money to start training pilots on the newer C-40. That's the plane local leaders hope will be slated to replace the aging C-9's when they finally retire.
The President's budget originally ordered all C9's retired this year, but that had officials worried that would leave a vaccum between losing one plane and starting up another one at the base.
The money that was added last week still needs approval from the Senate.