Funds will go towards construction of a new fire/crash rescue station on base to support the F-22 Raptor mission 

Washington, DC - Tuesday, Congressman Harry Teague announced that $10,400,000 for construction of a new Fire/Crash Rescue station on Holloman Air Force Base has been approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction.  The Fire/Crash Rescue Station will support the F-22 fleet as part of the Center of Excellence for War Readiness Material. 

 "The F-22 Raptors are the best our military has to offer in air defense and we are proud to house them in New Mexico," said Congressman Harry Teague.  "As home to the F-22s, it is critical that we keep the support facilities on Holloman Air Force Base in the best condition possible.  This funding will help protect the F-22 fleet, but it will also help ensure the health and safety of the service men and women stationed at Holloman. " 

Congressman Teague made securing funding to construct a new Fire/Crash Rescue Station at Holloman AFB a top priority after a recent visit to the Base for an update on the F-22 mission.  Currently, the F-22 fleet is supported by an outdated fire station whose distance from the F-22 hampers the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly to emergency situations.          

Otero County leaders and the Committee of 50 worked with Congressman Harry Teague to secure the funding "The leaders in our community have been requesting this funding for several years to keep Holloman a state of the art facility," said Miles Ledgerwood, Chairman of the Committee of 50.  "When Congressman Teague found out about this need in our community he worked very hard for us to secure this funding that will give our local economy a boost."

The project was approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies today and will be voted on by the full Appropriations Committee before the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill is brought up for a vote on the House floor.

**Photo: Congressman Harry Teague and Holloman Fire Chief Wayne Mello discuss the need for a Fire/Crash Rescue station during a recent trip to Holloman**