Schmitt tours Rosecrans, receives updates on projects
By Chris Fortune
As infrastructure upgrades continue at Rosecrans, one U.S. senator paid a visit to see how he could support the base.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt toured Rosecrans Air National Guard Base on Thursday and met with leadership to discuss their needs. Schmitt serves on the Armed Services Committee and helped secure funding for a new security gate in the past year.
Thursday’s tour included stops at one of the hangars at the base and the inside of the new terminal being constructed.
“Some of the improvements that are happening, that bodes well for the future of this place,” Schmitt said. “It serves a really important function in our national security.”
A couple of weeks ago, Armed Services Committee ranking member Roger Wicker visited Missouri and spoke with Schmitt about the state’s military bases, including Rosecrans, and how important the assets are. Schmitt has worked to convince military leadership to bring the new C-130J model aircraft to Rosecrans.
“People here are training people from all around the world to fly C-130Js, but we don’t have the C-130Js here,” Schmitt said. “So I think we’ve got a great case to make, and I’m hoping we can be successful.”
Rosecrans Memorial Airport manager Julius Rice said Schmitt’s visit is validating. It means the work of the 139th Airlift Wing and airport workers is being recognized.
“It’s fantastic to have that visibility and have that awareness from our leaders in D.C. to see the needs of the 139th and how that relates to the needs of the city of St. Joe through the airport,” Rice said.
A new runway opened at Rosecrans Memorial Airport at the beginning of the year, and a new air traffic control tower and terminal are under construction. Rice is hoping to open the terminal as early as November.
“We are so close on the terminal,” he said. “We’re to the finishing touches. We’re doing the paint, the wallpaper, the carpet and stuff like that.”
The new air traffic control tower structure has taken shape near the new terminal. It is estimated to be completed in the summer.
