Tester statement on meeting with Central Montana Defense Alliance

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after meeting in his Senate office with David Weissman and Joe Briggs of the Central Montana Defense Alliance.  Today’s meeting focused on how Tester and the community of Great Falls can continue working well together to preserve jobs in the community and to ensure the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) and Malmstrom Air Force Base continue to play a critical role in America’s defense.

“Malmstrom and the Montana Air National Guard play key roles in our national security and in the economy of central Montana.  I take my responsibility of strengthening our military very seriously, and I have always appreciated the thorough information and tremendous advocacy from the Central Montana Defense Alliance.  On these critical issues, it is important that Montanans continue to speak with one voice on behalf of what is right by our state, our Airmen and our nation’s security.  Moving forward, I will continue working closely with the CMDA, community leaders, the Air Force and National Guard to make sure Malmstrom and MANG continue to play an important role in protecting our nation.”

After the meeting with Tester, David Weissman, a member of the Central Montana Defense Alliance, said:

“Jon’s always been an incredible supporter for Malmstrom and the Montana Air National Guard.  Today’s meeting was an opportunity to talk about the importance of both MANG and the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad.  Jon’s been a tremendous ally for Great Falls and Montana and today’s meeting was just another opportunity for us to connect and talk about the importance of keeping MANG and Malmstrom strong.”

While in Washington, D.C., Weissman and Briggs also met with high-ranking officials from the Air Force and the National Guard.

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