NELSON'S "OPERATION AIRLIFT" APPROVED BY ARMED SERVICES

May 5, 2008 - Corrective legislation that was inspired by 48 Nebraska National Guard soldiers who almost didn't make it home for Christmas because of travel restrictions has been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee.

48 members of the 110th Medical Battalion based in Lincoln were stranded at Fort Lewis, Washington last December when training was suspended and the base was shut down for the holidays but military rules prohibited using funds to pay for their travel back to Nebraska until training resumed.

Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson was informed of the problem and contacted the State Chamber of Commerce which raised private funds in what became known as "Operation Airlift" to pay for the soldiers' travel so they could spend the holidays with their families.

"It was an embarrassment. These brave men and women who were preparing to go to war had to rely on the generosity of the Nebraska business community so they could come home for Christmas when it was really the nation’s responsibility to get them here," said Nelson, who offered an amendment to correct the situation.

Nelson's amendment that was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee allows the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense funds to pay for travel in situations such as existed at Ft. Lewis. Specifically, the Nelson amendment authorizes travel if a reserve or guard member is more than 300 miles from home and is placed on leave for 5 days or more because of training suspensions or staffing issues.

Brigadier General Timothy Kadavy, Adjutant General of Nebraska, said, "We are all grateful for the work that Senator Nelson has done, and continues to do, on behalf of our soldiers and airmen. This legislation sends a strong message to the families and members of the National Guard that they are important keys to the success of our efforts as a nation."

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	Press Release	May 5, 2008
NELSON'S "OPERATION AIRLIFT" APPROVED BY ARMED SERVICES May 5, 2008 - Corrective legislation that was inspired by 48 Nebraska National Guard soldiers who almost didn't make it home for Christmas because of travel restrictions has been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee. 48 members of the 110th Medical Battalion based in Lincoln were stranded at Fort Lewis, Washington last December when training was suspended and the base was shut down for the holidays but military rules prohibited using funds to pay for their travel back to Nebraska until training resumed. Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson was informed of the problem and contacted the State Chamber of Commerce which raised private funds in what became known as "Operation Airlift" to pay for the soldiers' travel so they could spend the holidays with their families. "It was an embarrassment. These brave men and women who were preparing to go to war had to rely on the generosity of the Nebraska business community so they could come home for Christmas when it was really the nation’s responsibility to get them here," said Nelson, who offered an amendment to correct the situation. Nelson's amendment that was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee allows the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense funds to pay for travel in situations such as existed at Ft. Lewis. Specifically, the Nelson amendment authorizes travel if a reserve or guard member is more than 300 miles from home and is placed on leave for 5 days or more because of training suspensions or staffing issues. Brigadier General Timothy Kadavy, Adjutant General of Nebraska, said, "We are all grateful for the work that Senator Nelson has done, and continues to do, on behalf of our soldiers and airmen. This legislation sends a strong message to the families and members of the National Guard that they are important keys to the success of our efforts as a nation." ###