In The News

WASHINGTON — The US Air Force is moving forward with a “full and open” competition to replace the entire fleet of UH-1N Huey helicopters, according to the service. The announcement ends months of speculation that the Air Force would bypass a competition altogether, instead buying Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawks to replace the Hueys for both the VIP transport mission and the job of guarding the nation’s nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles. But the rotorcraft industrial base has pushed back on the sole-source strategy in recent months, arguing such a move could have a “devastating” impact on companies investing in independent risk-reduction and research and development. The

Members in both chambers are preparing amendments to defense bills that would force the Air Force to start replacing aging helicopters that can no longer protect U.S. nuclear missiles from a possible terrorist attack. An amendment to the House defense authorization bill (HR 4909) by Montana Republican Ryan Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, would put the screws to the Pentagon’s new initiative, announced May 11, to hold a competition to replace the Hueys. No more than 75 percent of the Defense secretary’s “travel and representational expenses” budget in fiscal 2017 would be available until Congress receives a certification that a new

As a fifth-generation Montanan, Republican Sen. Steve Daines has spent quite a bit of time outdoors. When he isn’t busy pushing legislation in D.C., he’s back home working with constituents and spending his free time in nature. Like an increasing number of fellow legislators, Daines uses Snapchat to connect with his constituents when he’s on and off the road. His snaps, under the handle @SteveDaines, have garnered acclaim from those inside of the Beltway and out, and he has even earned recognition from the company itself. Daines was the first member to be featured in Snapchat’s Capitol Hill live story, has received

Since the Air Force has decided to use the normal open competition acquisition process for replacing the UH-1N Hueys flown at Malmstrom Air Force Base and other intercontinental ballistic missile bases, Sen. Steve Daines has continued to ask the military to activate the National Guard to provide security with its Black Hawk helicopters. Daines told the Tribune that he again suggested the idea to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James during their Wednesday meeting and that she seemed receptive to the idea. The Army National Guard in Helena has Black Hawk helicopters, which some lawmakers have pushed to

The Air Force announced Wednesday evening it is “moving forward with a full and open competition” to replace its aging fleet of UH-1N Huey helicopters, including several dozen that are no longer capable of adequately responding if terrorists attack U.S. nuclear missiles. The decision to initiate a contest for more than $2 billion in helicopters was first reported by CQ. The proposal could bring to a boil an already simmering congressional debate over how to obtain new choppers for the mission. Some lawmakers had wanted the Air Force to forego a competition in the interest of security of the nuclear

The Air Force has decided to go with a normal acquisition process to replace the UH-1N Huey helicopters flown at Malmstrom Air Force Base and other intercontinental ballistic missile bases. In a statement, the Air Force said Wednesday that it is “moving forward with a full and open competition for the replacement of the entire UH-1N fleet, which is consistent with the fiscal year 2017 President’s Budget Request.” Based on a request from the U.S. Strategic Command commander, the Air Force proposed an immediate reprogramming action, according to the Air Force, but after a thorough review, the Air Force “remains

Republicans and other pro-coal lawmakers attacked the Army Corps of Engineers yesterday for deciding to kill a proposed export facility in Washington state that proponents hoped would ship the fuel from Western mines to Asian markets. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) accused the administration of ignoring the needs of his state and its mines. And Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) said he filed a Freedom of Information Act request for a trove of documents related to the Army Corps’ review of the so-called Gateway Pacific Terminal. After months of deliberations, Col. John Buck, commander of the Army Corps’ Seattle District, sided with

Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation that would move Montana rural water projects forward and ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana. The Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act is a bill that would help improve the efficiency of existing water supply infrastructure, ease the regulatory burden on new projects and protect water rights that are critical to the prosperity of the western United States. “If I told you that today, over 22,000 Montanan’s lack access to a steady supply of water, you’d be angry,” Daines stated. “That’s why I introduced legislation that will provide a steady supply

A proposed Puget Sound shipping terminal for Montana coal is dead after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied it a permit Monday. Citing the fishing rights of the nearby Lummi Nation, Corps Col. John Buck determined that as currently proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal could not be permitted. Valued at $700 million, the port was to be located near Ferndale, Wash. The Lummi Nation had cited treaty rights in January 2015 when it asked the Army Corps to reject the project. “Today was a good day for the Constitution and treaties in general,” said Tim Ballew, of the Lummi Indian