Glenn Grothman U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 6th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Glenn Grothman U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 6th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Congressman Glenn Grothman has reintroduced the bipartisan Air America Act, aimed at addressing an inequity faced by former employees of Air America. This legislation seeks to ensure these individuals receive federal retirement benefits and recognition for their service. The bill was inspired by Neil Hansen, a former pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War and a resident of Wisconsin’s Sixth District.
Air America operated between 1950 and 1976 as a company conducting flight operations during the Cold War. Declassified documents have since revealed that it was owned and controlled by the U.S. government, making its employees federal workers under the law. The proposed act would grant those who qualify the retirement benefits they earned, while others would receive formal recognition for their contributions.
Grothman stated, “Congress has twice passed corrective legislation for other covert CIA-affiliated groups... It is not right to continue to ignore Air Americans.” He added his appreciation for bipartisan support in recognizing these individuals' service.
Robert Noble, President of the Air America Association, expressed support for the bill: “The Air America Association urges Congress to dedicate its efforts to passing this long overdue legislation... The Association appreciates Congressman Grothman and the legislation's many bipartisan cosponsors.”
Background information indicates that Air America's operations were managed by the CIA as part of Cold War policies. Employees conducted search and rescue missions and evacuations during critical moments such as those in Danang and Saigon in 1975.
A rule change by the Office of Personnel Management in 1985 required proof of federal employment via form SF-50/52, which was not used due to the secretive nature of their work. As a result, many employees were denied retirement credit despite being legally defined as federal employees at that time.
The bill is supported by 91 cosponsors from both parties across various states.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman serves Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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