By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis – The U.S. House has approved a budget for the Department of Defense which contains $33 million for Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East.
The appropriations for the largest employer in southern Illinois will maintain the 932nd Airlift Wing's C-9 airplanes and begin the new C-40 mission.
The C-40 is the military version of the 737 and can transport large numbers of soldiers and equipment.
The Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 still needs Senate approval.