U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart, D-Belleville, has been named to two subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee that "will position him to be a strong voice and advocate" for Scott Air Force Base, according to a statement Enyart released.

Enyart, the retired commander of the Illinois National Guard, was named to the armed services panel's Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

"Scott Air Force Base is a tremendous asset to our military, national security and serves as essential economic hub for Southern Illinois," Enyart said in a written statement. "My experience serving Illinois in the military for 35 years and most recently as the former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard has well prepared me to advocate for Scott on these Armed Services subcommittees."

Enyart, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, was earlier named to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management and the Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development and Credit.

His appointment to those panels will allow him to advocate for Southern Illinois corn, soybean, poultry and beef farmers, and work on issues related to crop insurance, according to a Enyart's written statement.