SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MALONEY LAUNCH MAJOR PUSH TO BRING NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION SQUADRON TO STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE; REPS SAY STEWART IS THE IDEAL HOME FOR CRITICAL MISSION
In Late 2018, The Air Force Announced A List Of Installations Under Consideration For New Air National Guard (ANG) Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), Including Stewart ANG Base; Designation Would Provide Medical Services To Patients Traveling To And From Medical Treatment Facilities
Senators Schumer, Gillibrand And Representative Maloney Urge National Guard Bureau To Select Stewart ANG Base As Home For The AES, Citing The Base’s Infrastructure, Status As A Recruiting Hub, And Top-Notch Personnel As Driving Factors
Representatives To National Guard Bureau: No Better Home For The Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Than Stewart
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney today urged the National Guard Bureau to bring the Air National Guard’s (ANG) new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, which is home to the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing. The representatives explained that the new AES has the mission of providing critical healthcare services to patients needing transportation to and from medical treatment facilities by air. The representatives argued that Stewart ANG Base would be an ideal location for the AES due to the operational, manpower, capacity and cost benefits provided by the base and wing, and called on the National Guard Bureau to select the base to house the AES as soon as possible.
“I can think of no better location for the Air National Guard’s Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron than Stewart Air National Guard base. The existing infrastructure at this first-rate ANG installation, combined with the C-17s that the 105th Airlift Wing already operate, ensure that Stewart would be more than capable of operating this critical new mission,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why today I’m calling on the National Guard Bureau to choose Stewart as the place to house the new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. I’ll continue doing everything in my power to bring the AES to Stewart, to create new jobs at the base and ensure that our troops receive the best medical care possible when working to protect our freedom.”
“Stewart Air National Guard Base plays an invaluable role in defending our nation and would be the perfect location for the National Guard Bureau’s new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “With Stewart’s highly skilled airmen, who already have the experience of completing C-17 missions, and with the base’s existing capabilities, Stewart is fully prepared to take on this new role of transporting soldiers in need of medical care. Housing the new Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Stewart is a great opportunity to build on the base’s successes, and I urge the National Guard Bureau to select Stewart for this designation.”
“Stewart is one the of the largest ANG bases in the country – we have the capacity, the personnel, and the equipment to house an AES squadron,” said Rep. Maloney. “Stewart is on the list because of these qualifications and we’re going to work to move it to the top. Bringing new missions and responsibilities to Stewart is good for the Guard and good for our local economies – we’re all committed to landing this squadron.”
Schumer, Maloney and Gillibrand explained in late 2018, the Air Force announced a list of 17 installations to be considered for the new AES, and that Stewart ANG Base was one of the listed installations. The representatives stated that operationally, Stewart ANG Base would be an excellent location for the AES. According to the representatives, the 105th Airlift Wing operates the C-17 military transport aircraft, which provides global projection with this strategic airlift capability, and which is co-located on the installation as a United State Marine Corps KC-130 squadron, boosting the viability of Stewart as home to the AES. Additionally, the representatives added that the personnel on the installation currently have more than six years of experience training with other AES units. The representatives explained that Stewart is also located in one of the best recruiting locations in New York, and that several of these recruits already serve as medical professionals and flight crew candidates.
The representatives also argued that, as one of the largest ANG bases in the nation, there is enough existing infrastructure at Stewart ANG Base needed to cost-effectively stand up, as well as perform, the critical AES mission. Schumer, Gillibrand and Maloney explained that this will significantly reduce the costs needed to establish the AES mission at Stewart, making it an even more appealing destination. The representatives said for all these reasons, the National Guard Bureau should closely consider Stewart ANG Base as the preferred location for the AES.
A copy of Schumer, Gillibrand and Maloney’s letter to the National Guard Bureau appears below.
Dear General Lengyel,
As you know, in late 2018, the Air Force announced a list of 17 installations to be considered for the new Air National Guard (ANG) Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES). We write to strongly encourage you to select Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. We believe that Stewart would be an ideal location due to the operational, manpower, capacity and cost benefits provided by the base and wing.
Operationally, Stewart ANG Base would be an excellent location for the AES. Not only does the 105th Airlift Wing operate the C-17, which provides global projection with this Strategic Airlift capability, and which is co-located on the installation is a United States Marine Corps KC-130 squadron. In addition to all of this vital capability, the personnel on the installation have more than six years of experience training with other AES units and the nearest squadron is over 130 miles away. Stewart is also located in one of the best recruiting locations in the State, and several of these recruits already serve as medical professionals and flight crew candidates in our communities.
Furthermore, as one of the largest ANG bases in the nation, there is enough existing infrastructure needed to cost-effectively stand up, as well as perform, the AES mission. This will significantly reduce the costs needed to stand up the mission at the base.
For all of these reasons, we ask that you closely consider Stewart ANG Base as the preferred location for the AES. We will be closely monitoring this process and look forward to your response. Please follow up with our staff with any questions.
Sincerely,
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