WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Defense announced a $138 million contract for Sikorsky that ensures that maintenance on the Marine One Presidential helicopter fleet will remain in Stratford, Connecticut. Work will begin in January. Earlier this year, Murphy, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Jim Himes (CT-4) urged the U.S. Navy to suspend any possible plans to shift maintenance of Marine One from Stratford.

“Today is a great day for Connecticut’s workers. I strongly fought the Department of Defense’s plan to move this critical work on Marine One out of Connecticut, and I am extremely pleased that the united effort of Sikorsky, its workers, and our Connecticut delegation prevailed” said Murphy. “The Department of Defense has come to rely on Sikorsky’s unparalleled reliability and performance, and I’m thrilled that the men and women at Sikorsky will continue to keep our President safe.” 

###