President Obama Signs Act That Protects Joint Base Refuelers Into Law

President Barack Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision to protect the KC-10 refueling jets at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Wednesday, the Burlington County Times reports.

U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3) and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) worked together over the last year to keep a group of KC-10 Extenders at the joint base.

Without these refuelers, aircraft with less fuel capacity would have to land and refuel more often, Airman 1st Class Amy Jones previously told the Burlington County Times. In a recent mission, such aircraft en route to Spain were able to refuel while flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

The extenders also help ensure the life of the military base, something MacArthur spoke about while campaigning for election last year.

“The Congress has now revised the National Defense Authorization Act to incorporate these new funding changes and has altered the funding authorization provisions to which I objected,” Obama said in signing the act into law. “I am therefore signing this annual defense authorization legislation because it includes vital benefits for military personnel and their families, authorities to facilitate ongoing operations around the globe, and important reforms to the military retirement system, as well as partial reforms to other military compensation programs.”

Read more at burlingtoncountytimes.com.