WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement about the tragic crash of a C-130 Hercules tanker from the 145^th Air Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, while battling wildfires in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the aviators lost in the crash, and I hope those who survived make a quick and full recovery,” Murkowski said. “The Air National Guard has a long and admirable history of coming to the aid of federal land management agencies to combat wildfires. As we prepare for the Fourth of July holiday, we should all remember the bravery and dedication of those battling wildfires, whether in the air or on the ground.”

Sen. Murkowski is the ranking Republican on both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

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