Defense bill includes $4 million for Whiteman AFB kennel

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AP) -- A bill passed by the U.S. House would fund improvements to a military canine facility at Whiteman Air Force Base.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri said the 2009 defense bill includes $4.2 million for a security forces kennel and animal clinic at the base. The bill is expected to go before the full Senate in June.

Skelton, a Democrat whose district includes Whiteman AFB near Knob Noster, said the existing 54-year-old facilities at the base "are inadequate and need to be upgraded." The money would pay for facilities for up to 12 dogs with new runs, a veterinary hospital and a new training area.

Lt. Col. Craig Allton, commander of Whiteman's 509th Security Forces Squadron, said the unit trains and maintains both explosives and drug detection dogs for use in Iraq and in the U.S.