National Defense

By: Matt Dotray The U.S. Air force says existing bomber bases such as Dyess Air Force near Abilene will house the next generation B-21 Raiders when they become operational. The Air Force announced in a news release Monday that if Congress OKs its current proposal, bases that have bombers now will have bombers in the future, including the B-21 Raiders when it comes online. According to… Read more »

San Angelo Live By: Joe Hyde ABILENE, TX — The U.S. Air Force requested of Congress to purchase more F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters and increase funding for the advanced stealth bomber called the B-21 Raider now in development. In return, the USAF proposes retiring the B-1B lancer and B-2A Spirit aircraft once the B-21 comes online in the mid-2020s, according to… Read more »

ABILENE, Texas — There was big news Monday for the future of Dyess Air Force Base and the City of Abilene. It looks like Dyess will be home to the new B-21 stealth bomber, and that could have big implications for our local economy. It will be based at Dyess if Congress signs off on President Trump's $18 billion budget proposal. “I've told folks to tamp down on the… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, more than a year into his job in Washington, D.C., is learning the ropes. Asked if he supports President Trump's idea of having a parade to honor the nation's military, Arrington did some fancy Texas two-stepping. Like everyone, Arrington said, he "loves" the men and women who serve in the nation's military. "I am grateful beyond words for their sacrifice,"… Read more »

Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after the House passed the Bipartisan Budget Act. “While I have serious concerns about our nation’s unsustainable spending and debt, the more immediate threat is our military readiness and the safety of our troops. The almost $200 billion in cuts during the Obama Administration have crippled our armed… Read more »

Following a vote by the House and Senate to end the government shutdown, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement: “I am glad to know Senate Democrats have retreated from their ill-conceived and outrageous demand we shut down our government, disrupt our military, and halt funding for other important obligations over amnesty for people who entered our… Read more »

Abilene, Texas — The effects of the government shutdown will be felt at Dyess Air Force Base. Colonel Brandon Parker, the commander of the 7th Bomb Wing, said “this will be a difficult time for both our civilian personnel as well as our military and their families.” On Saturday, Parker detailed what the shutdown means for Dyess. The biggest impact --… Read more »

Congressman Jodey Arrington said if troops are not going to get paid during the government shutdown, neither should lawmakers. Saturday, he sent a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives to request his pay be withheld until the shutdown ends. “It is fundamentally flawed that members of our military will not receive a paycheck during this… Read more »

By: Michael Cantu (KCBD) - It has not been a very celebratory anniversary for President Donald Trump as he comes off his first year of his presidency. A government shutdown is in full effect, something the country has not seen since 2013 during the presidency of Barack Obama. It was Democrats in the Senate that killed a bill at midnight on Saturday that would have funded the… Read more »

Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law. The FY 2018 NDAA authorizes a 10% increase in military spending over the Obama Administration, and the largest pay raise for our troops in 8 years. “While more war has been diverted, more peace has been… Read more »