Photo caption: During his visit to Lowndes County on March 4, Senator Isakson visited with members of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce to discuss federal issues of importance to the business community

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., led a Congressional Delegation to Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Valdosta on Friday, March 4. Senator Isakson was joined by Senator John Boozman, R-Ark., as well as top military legislative aides from the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. 

During the visit to Moody AFB, the delegation met with senior officials, toured base facilities and aircraft, and participated in a live fire demonstration. According to Isakson, the focus of the trip highlighted the importance of preserving the mission of the A-10 Thunderbolt II and protecting Moody AFB from being negatively impacted by a future Base Closure and Realignment Commission, commonly known as BRAC.

“I brought Senator Boozman and several key Senate staff members to Moody to experience first-hand all that our bases in Georgia have to offer, including the incredible flexibility of key Air Force assets like Moody Air Force Base,” said Isakson. “Moody Air Force Base brings in an estimated $600 million to Valdosta and the surrounding communities each year. I hope this visit will cement the importance of Moody in the minds of decision-makers, helping to keep the base vibrant and strong for many more years. I believe that message was communicated by the dedicated service members at Moody who were such excellent hosts.” 

Isakson’s visit to Moody AFB is part of a series of Washington, D.C., meetings with senior Pentagon officials from each of the branches of the armed services and visits to Georgia military installations. The meetings and visits advance the importance of Georgia-based equities and assets and the critical roles each play in national defense. 

Following Isakson’s tour of Moody AFB, he visited with members of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce to discuss federal issues of importance to the business community. 

“I always try to make sure to meet with local leaders when I’m in a community and Myrna Ballard and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce were good enough to make sure I was able to hear directly from many of them during my visit so that I can continue to be an effective advocate in Washington,” Isakson said. 

“We can always count on Senator Isakson to listen to the business community when we share with him the issues on the minds of our local business community,” said Chamber President Myrna Ballard. “We also know that Moody AFB does not have a better friend in Washington than Senator Isakson.”

Advocating for businesses at the local, state, and national levels is a key priority of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Government Affairs Council develops its legislative agenda based on issues and concerns facing local businesses. 

According to Ballard, members of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council will travel to Washington, D.C. in April to visit with members of Georgia’s federal delegation to discuss the importance of Moody, as well as other business development issues on the minds of Chamber members.