Dicks at Military Affairs Forum

Q&A was part of Cong. Dicks' presentation at the Military Affairs Forum. More photos here.

Today, Cong. Norm Dicks (D-WA), shared his expertise and perspectives with the attendees at the Chamber's Military Affairs Forum.

Serving as Chairman, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice-Chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Dicks is next in line for the Chairmanship of the House Appropriations Committee. His partnership with others in the Washington Congressional delegation, especially with Cong. Adam Smith as Chair of the HASC's Air Land Subcommittee, serves our region's defense installations well.

Among his comments, Cong. Dicks referenced the potential for a new aviation brigade at JBLM. "Although a decision has not been made, it is receiving serious consideration at the highest levels," he said. 

Among several issues, Cong. Dicks spotlighted his collaboration with Cong. Adam Smith and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about on-base schools, the needed attention to I-5 congestion around JBLM and the successful retention of on-base housing at JBLM-McChord Field.  Still ahead, he referenced the need for the KC-X tanker and Fairchild AFB as a first or leading installation for those aircraft.