AL HR73

Urges Alabama's U.S. Senators and Representatives to secure $33 million in National Defense Authorization Act funding to expand the aircraft parking ramp for the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base in Birmingham.

Notes the 117th Air Refueling Wing currently operates eight KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft but the existing parking ramp is undersized due to a required 50-foot wingtip clearance between parked aircraft.

States the Wing operates under a temporary Department of Defense parking ramp waiver and generates over $100 million in estimated annual economic community impact with dual state and federal command mission.

Indicates the ramp expansion would bring Alabama into compliance with federal 50-foot wingtip clearance requirements and improve the state's positioning to receive newer KC-46 refueling tankers intended to replace aging KC-135 aircraft.

Directs copies of the resolution be sent to U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt and U.S. Representatives Jerry Carl Jr., Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Dale Strong, Gary Palmer, and Terri Sewell.