July 24, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Defense Authorization bill, which includes funding to provide benefits to Nevada’s Air America veterans. 

“Anytime we can expand benefits for Nevada’s veterans, it’s a proud day,” said Reid. “Providing retirement benefits for these veterans who risked their lives--without most American’s even knowing it--so we could enjoy the freedoms we cherish is a moral obligation for both parties, and I’m pleased that we were able to meet it.”
 
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.