As the U.S. prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, half a world away in West Africa another President-elect will have to be sworn in at his country’s embassy in a foreign land. Current Gambian President Yahya Jammeh refuses to step down after first conceding his loss to duly elected Adama Barrow in the December 1st elections. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Africa Subcommittee, said the differences between the two inaugurations a...
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By JONATHAN SALANT OF NJ.COM - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is receiving a new fleet of Air Force tankers, making it more likely to be protected against any future round of military base closings. The Air Force on Thursday selected the joint base's 305th Air Mobility Wing to house 24 KC-46 tankers, which should arrive from 2020 to 2023. "It ensures the viability of the joint base," said Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.). "This is the most important protection we could have secured." U.S. Sen. R...
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The Associated Press – New Jersey’s second-largest employer is getting an extended lease on life now that the Air Force picked it to host its next generation of air refueling tankers, officials said Thursday. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will receive 24 KC-46 Pegasus tankers to replace its current fleet of 32 KC-10 Extenders. The planes also will be stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California. Lawmakers said securing the air refueling mission ensures the sustainability of the base from ...
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BY ADAM HOCHRON, NJ 101.5 REPORTER - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is one of the longest running military installations in the country, which also means having some of the oldest equipment on base. But the runways at the base will have some new traffic soon. The Air Force on Thursday announced the base will be the home of the KC-46 Pegasus tankers. The 24 new planes will replace the aging KC-10 Extender planes which have played a key role in keeping aircraft of all sizes going around the worl...
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By Kala Kachmar, APP Staff Writer - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has been chosen to receive the Air Force's next generation of air refueling tankers, securing a future for the base that's been on the chopping block in the past. The 24 new KC-46A Pegasus planes and the mission that comes with them are expected to ensure the economic viability of the base for decades to come, officials said Thursday. The Air Force will invest $154 million in new construction at the Joint Base to accommodate th...
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Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s intention to ease sanctions on the Republic of the Sudan: “The decision by the Obama Administration to ease sanctions on Sudan imports and exports of goods and services and related commercial activity is unjustified at this point since the Khartoum government has not ceased its violations of the human rights of its citizens. Violent government actions continue agai...
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BY JACK HERETIK, WRITER FOR THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON - Rep. Chris Smith (R., N.J.) is fighting for Christian refugees who have been displaced by fighting in Iraq and Syria and demanding the United States do more to help. The lawmaker serves as a senior member on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations. Promoting international human rights and religious freedom has been a staple fea...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced today that the Air Force has chosen Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL) to host the next generation KC-46 refueling tankers. With the designation of a Main Operating Base (MOB), JB-MDL is now slated to receive 24 new KC-46 Pegasus tankers to replace the current fleet of KC-10 Extenders. “Securing this vitally important air refueling mission not only significantly enhances US military power but will help the sustainability of the Joint Base from any f...
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By David Levinsky, BCT staff writer - After months of lobbying and waiting, New Jersey officials expect to finally learn whether Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will become the home of the Air Force's new KC-46 air-refueling tankers. The Air Force plans to announce its decision Thursday. The joint base is one of five finalist installations the service was considering to accept between 24 and 36 of the new jets, which are being built by Boeing as upgrades for the Air Force's aging tanker fleet. ...
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As the U.S. marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day today, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), along with Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), introduced legislation to help combat the world-wide scourge of international human trafficking. “The Human Trafficking Prioritization Act will help keep the fight against human trafficking as a major priority in U.S. foreign policy,” said Smith, Chairman of the House panel on global human rights. “We must stop countries from gaming the system by limiting the amount of time repe...
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