Miss. benes from omnibus bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) highlighted provisions in a FY 2016 omnibus appropriations bill signed by President Obama that will benefit Mississippi and its role in supporting national security. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 combines the 12 annual appropriations bills to fund government programs through September 2016. Aviation items of interest ensures the Air Force does not retire or divest its C-130 Hurricane Hunter fleet at Keesler AFB; funding for the LPD 28 amphibious transport dock ship to be built at HII Pascagoula; advanced procurement for construction of the LHA-8 amphibious assault ship at Ingalls; 28 UH-72A ‘Lakota’ helicopters to be built at Columbus’ Golden Triangle Regional Airport; upgrade of the National Guard's Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Gulfport; and full funding for all existing contract towers at Golden Triangle Regional, Greenville Municipal, Hawkins Field in Jackson, Meridian/Key Field, Olive Branch, Stennis International, and Tupelo Regional airports. (Source: Yall Politics 12/17/15)