SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senator Dick Durbin and his staff recently visited the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, Illinois on April 14, 2025.
Durbin met with U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and 126th Air Refueling Wing leadership as part of their visit to the Gateway Wing.
Gen. Randall Reed, U.S. Transportation Command (USTC) commander and Brig. Gen. Corey Simmons, Air Mobility Command Strategy, Plans, Requirements and Programs director briefed Durbin on mission and challenges facing USTC and their air component, Air Mobility Command.
Col. Jeffrey Smith, 932nd Airlift Wing commander and 932nd AW Operations Group leadership provided an update on distinguished airlift visitor airlift missions and recent C-40 aircraft communication package upgrades. Following these briefings, flight attendants provided Durbin a tour of the flight attendant operations center and briefed the senator on flight attendant operations.
Durbin is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois and also serves as the Senate Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats.
Previously, Senator Durbin served as Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which controls nearly half of the nation's annual discretionary budget affecting Naval Station Great Lakes, the Rock Island Arsenal, and Scott Air Force Base.
During Durbin’s visit, he was also educated on hot topics such as recruiting and retention, aircraft modernization and National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriation (NGREA) and quality of life initiatives across Team Scott and the Air Force Reserve, reinforcing the importance of the Air Force Reserve’s current and future role in today’s new strategic environment to include restoring warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and re-establishing deterrence.
The commitment, professionalism, and personal connection with the Gateway Wing leadership team left a lasting impression on Senator Durbin and his staff, reinforcing the significance of the 932nd mission.