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Reid, Berkley seek benefits for Air America veterans

May 22, 2009 - 9:00 pm
 

Employees of the Central Intelligence Agency's once-secret Air America airline that flew covert missions over Laos, Vietnam and Korea during the Cold War could someday receive federal retirement benefits if Congress passes legislation introduced Thursday.

The Air America Veterans Act of 2009, by Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley, both D-Nev., calls for authorizing a study to determine who would be eligible for benefits.

The study will provide details about the CIA airline's operations, its workers, casualties and an assessment of benefits they would be entitled as U.S. government employees.

Air America was acquired by the CIA in 1950 and flew missions for the intelligence agency into the mid-1970s.

A few of the estimated 500 former workers have retired in Las Vegas.

"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," Berkley said Thursday in a joint statement with Reid.

Contact reporter Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.

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