SENATOR COLLINS ACCOUNCES VISIT OF ISRAELI DEFENSE OFFICIALS TO MAINE MILITARY AUTHORITY

            WASHINGTON, D.C.--At the invitation of Senator Susan Collins, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) officials will visit the Maine Military Authority in Limestone on Monday, May 14.  Israeli officials, led by the IDF's chief of tactical wheeled vehicles, will meet with MMA officials and conduct a site survey as Israel considers the purchase of tactical wheeled vehicles.  MMA has refurbished more than 14,000 Humvees in the past, and it is one of several organizations competing for an IDF contract to provide Humvees during the next three years. 

            Senator Collins, who is a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, extended an invitation to Ambassador Michael Oren, Israel's envoy to the United States, after she learned that Israel is looking to procure additional Humvees.

            "The talented workforce at Maine Military Authority has a long history of producing high-quality vehicles for use by the Army and the Army National Guard.  I am delighted that that I was able to bring MMA to the Ambassador's attention and to serve as an advocate for the great work performed at MMA.  I am certain that the opportunity to compete for a Humvee contract with the Israeli Ministry of Defense will help maintain our nation's most important relationship in the Middle East.  And, should MMA win the contract, it would be an important economic victory for Maine, and especially Aroostook County."