May 21, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today introduced the Air America Veterans Act of 2009, legislation that will begin the process of providing Air America veterans with federal retirement benefits.  This legislation addresses the first step of that process, which is to authorize a study to determine who would be eligible for benefits and provide the data necessary to help fix the problem.  The study will provide information on Air America, its employees, the missions they performed, the casualties they suffered, and an assessment of the difference between those benefits and what they would receive if treated as employees of the United States.

“Anyone who puts their life on the line in service of this country, as these Air America veterans did, deserves nothing less than what they earned,” Reid said.  “These brave Nevadans and Americans risked their lives by flying covert missions in areas such as Laos, Vietnam and Korea.  It’s unfair for the same government that asked them serve, to prevent them from being properly recognized for their sacrifice.”

“The heroes of Air America risked their lives for our nation and we should fully honor their courage and recognize the critical role they played in U.S. military efforts in East Asia during the Cold War,” said Berkley.  “The study authorized by this legislation will lay the groundwork for us to finally recognize the sacrifices made by Air America employees, and their dedication to our nation, by extending federal benefits to these brave Americans.  The time is now for Congress to act on this issue and I am hopeful that we will see this legislation signed into law by President Obama.”

Air America was a company acquired by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1950 and flew missions for the CIA into the mid 1970’s.  For many years, former Air America employees have unsuccessfully sought to obtain federal retirement benefits for their service and are requesting assistance from Congress to get it done.