U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-1) today met with Major General Brian Tarbet, the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Larry D. James, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance for the Air Force. The group discussed the ongoing activities of the Utah National Guard’s 169^th Intelligence Squadron.

“Today’s meeting was a great opportunity to discuss the ongoing missions of the 169^th and the critical services Utahns across the state are performing to defend our country overseas,” Hatch said. “Utahns have been serving in the military protecting their country for generations, and the meeting today was an opportunity to discuss how Utahns will continue to serve and protect America.”

“As the Department of Defense continues to find ways to accommodate the enormous budgetary cuts they have endured, nearly every program is subject to consideration.  Unfortunately, that includes many critically important defense and intelligence resources that serve a vital role in our national security capabilities,” said Bishop.  “Among these are programs conducted by National Guard units across the country, including Utah’s National Guard.  Today’s meeting was part of the ongoing effort to ensure that some of the most essential defense programs are retained through the budgetary review process.  I agree that defense should not be exempt from budgetary scrutiny, however it is important that some of our greatest defense capabilities be given additional consideration and their ongoing contributions be recognized and preserved.”