Plans to base 13 C-17 at Travis AFB on schedule for 2006-07 fiscal year

For local groups that have advocated for Travis Air force Base for years, this week's trip to Washington, D.C., is the first since the happy news that the base would not be targeted for closure.

It put a nice spin on the trip to see a slew of Congressional representatives, including Sens. Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Reps. Ellen Tauscher, Dan Lungren, George Miller and Mike Thompson, said Bud Ross, a past president of the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee.

But there's no reason to be arrogant about Travis' situation, he said.

"There are a lot of people smiling, but we're not smug," Ross said.

There are other reasons that the local group is happy about their trip.

Plans to base 13 C-17 airlifters at Travis as early as the 2006-07 fiscal year are on schedule, local advocates learned.

Travis could be scheduled to receive $31.6 million for a number of improvements related to the C-17s making their way to the base, including:

• Global reach deployment center - $19 million
• Life support facility - $1.3 million
• Composite shop - $3.2 million
• Maintenance training - $8.1 million.

The appropriation for the funds has cleared three hurdles and awaits a final one in the U.S. Senate, Ross said.

"The long and short of it is that it is good news," he said.

The possibility also exists for Travis to be in line to receive additional C-17s beyond the 13. A plan floating around Washington, D.C., is to purchase 42 C-17s in addition to the 180 already in plans.

Today, the group is scheduled to visit the Pentagon to discuss military housing and other base issues.

Jason Massad can be reached at county@thereporter.com.