Scott Air Force Base

U.S. Transportation Command Commander Jacqueline Van Ovost is retiring after more than three decades in the military. The pilot was one of relatively few women four-star generals in the U.S.

The project — which will connect MidAmerica to St. Louis-Lambert International Airport via light rail — is expected to wrap in spring 2026, according to the St. Clair County Transit District.

Starting at the barge terminal near Fayetteville — about 15 miles southeast of Belleville — the pipeline would run roughly 16 miles north to deliver fuel to the Metro East base.

Col. John Poole commands the 375th Air Mobility Wing at the Metro East base. He said he’s spent a majority of his first months learning. From there, he plans to write and implement a new strategic plan.

Illinois quit collecting property taxes from disabled veterans in 2015, but that has cost Metro East school districts and other taxing bodies near Scott Air Force Base hundreds of thousands — or sometimes millions of dollars.

A part of regular military rotations, Col. Chris Robinson will leave the Metro East base for a Pentagon job. Col. Jordan Poole, who previously led a Texas base, will take over Scott.

The Mascoutah airport, located adjacent to Scott Air Force Base, finalized the project Tuesday. It adds 41,000 square feet to the existing terminal.

Headquartered at the Metro East base, the command will assume the role from the Defense Logistics Agency.

The box sits just outside Scott Elementary School, located adjacent to the base's southwest corner.

On a near daily basis, the U.S. Transportation Command loads planes, ships and vehicles with supplies bound for Ukraine.