Trump's rumored pullout from Open Skies Treaty would idle Offutt jets

By Steve Liewer / World-Herald staff writer 14 hrs ago

The Trump administration is believed to be preparing to pull out of the 34-nation Open Skies Treaty, a plan that would idle two Offutt-based OC-135B reconnaissance jets and their crews.

The treaty, proposed by President George H.W. Bush following the Cold War, allows member nations to fly supervised photo-reconnaissance flights over one another’s countries. This week, the U.S. and Germany are partnering on an Open Skies mission over Russia.

The planes are crewed and maintained at Offutt by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, which is part of the 55th Wing. Several dozen Offutt airmen are involved in the program.

The Trump administration hasn’t made public comments regarding withdrawal from the treaty, but congressional sources say there are strong indications the administration wants to get out.

FULL story: https://www.omaha.com/news/military/trump-s-rumored-pullout-from-open-skies-treaty-would-idle/article_751e95b7-ebf6-5100-81c9-259816c3b408.html