Rep. Courtney Secures Critical Support for Eastern Connecticut's Defense Priorities
Statement
Rep. Courtney Secures Critical Support for Eastern Connecticut's Defense Priorities
Congressman Joe Courtney announced today that the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report for the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes critical provisions championed by the Connecticut Congressman that benefit eastern Connecticut.
"This authorization provides a new direction for our national defense policy, protecting Connecticut's interests, and honoring our servicemen and women," stated Courtney. "As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to have worked closely with my colleagues to secure critical support for eastern Connecticut. This is a good bill for our nation, our military and our state."
The NDAA authorizes the Navy to begin the process of doubling Virginia-class submarine production, a program for which Congressman Courtney secured $588 million in the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations Act - the first time such an authorization was ever funded. "I want to thank Chairmen Gene Taylor and Ike Skelton for their strong support for our naval shipbuilding programs," Courtney said. "Their early advocacy for a strong submarine force laid the foundation for this year's historic new investment in increasing submarine production."
The Conference report also includes an authorization for $21.2 million in new military construction at Naval Submarine Base New London. Congressman Courtney worked closely with Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and other leaders in Congress to secure additional investment and development at the Sub Base - a critical part of the future of the Base.
In addition, the final conference agreement maintains the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program. The JCA, which will replace the aging C-23 Sherpa as the Army's in-theater transport aircraft, is expected to be a future mission of the Connecticut Air National Guard. While the Senate version of the bill included a provision that threatened to delay the program, Congressman Courtney joined with Congressman Robin Hayes (R-NC) and Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo (D-GU) in leading a bipartisan effort to reverse the Senate language and keep the program on track.
"The Joint Cargo Aircraft is critical not only to the future of Connecticut's Air National Guard, but in supporting our men and women on the front lines. It is far too important a program to shift control without a thorough review of the proper roles and missions of the Army and Air Force. I am grateful that the conferees agreed," added Courtney.
Important provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for eastern Connecticut:
-$3.1 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program. Of this total, $2.65 billion is authorized for the FY2008 boat (of which $853 million has been previously authorized in advanced procurement) and $702.7 million is authorized for advanced procurement on the FY2009 and FY2010 boats. In addition, the total includes $588 million secured by Congressman Courtney to support increasing to two boats a year prior to 2012. The Conference Report also renews multi-year procurement authority for Virginia-class submarines.
-$21.2 million for new construction at Submarine Base New London. Congressman Courtney work with Senators Dodd and Lieberman to secure support for two critical military construction projects at Submarine Base New London:
-$11.9 million for a new waterfront operations center. One of Subase New London's top military construction priorities this year is the refurbishment of its Waterfront Operations Facility, which will house critical maintenance and administrative functions at the base's waterfront. Current waterfront operations activities are spread around three different facilities, none of which meet the needs of operations at the waterfront. The authorization secured by Rep. Courtney will support demolition of two of the older buildings, 79 and 110, and renovate an existing warehouse (Building 105) for use as a new waterfront operations centers. This is a critical project for the base, and the Base Commander's top priority.
-$9.3 million for a new Sub Learning Center building. According to the Sub Base, the Submarine Learning Center (SLC) was established in June 2003 with a mission to "create, coordinate and execute future training" to meet the needs of the Submarine Force. However, the SLC is currently housed in a building originally designed as an open bay barracks facility in 1943 that is insufficient for the modern needs of the Base. This 1943 structure had been previously selected for demolition due to its substandard conditions. Rep. Courtney's authorization will demolish the existing building, Building 137, and support construction of a new, two story facility for the Submarine Learning Center.
-Maintains the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program. The Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) will provide the armed forces with the critical intra-theater airlift capabilities that will transport personnel and equipment over the "last tactical mile." The JCA is particularly important to Connecticut, as the aircraft is expected to be assigned to the 103rd Fighter Wing (FW) of the Connecticut Air National Guard after 2012. This exciting new mission will bring the "Flying Yankees" of the 103rd FW to the forefront of critical war time intra-theater lift requirements, and homeland security and domestic disaster response. While the House-passed Defense Authorization bill maintains the joint nature of the program, Section 1030 of the Senate version of the bill would shifted responsibility of the program completely over to the Air Force. This language could have a serious impact on the JCA program, as much of the planning and fielding of the aircraft has been based on the joint agreement reached in 2006 between the Army and the Air Force. In response, Congressman Courtney joined with Congressman Robin Hayes (R-NC) and Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo (D-GU) in leading a letter to conferees supported by over 80 bipartisan supporters in maintaining the joint Army-Air Force control of the program. The final Conference Agreement adopted Congressman Courtney's request and maintains the joint control of the JCA program. This allows the JCA program to remain a joint effort pending a "roles and missions" review required by Section 941 of the Conference Report. The first review is required in 2008, with subsequent reviews occurring in 2011 and every four years thereafter.
-$5 million to begin research on the advanced concepts and capabilities for the next class of ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). This funding will serve as an initial step in the development of the next generation strategic submarine. Work will involve the exploration of new technologies, conceptual design of ship configurations, supporting ship systems, consideration of strategic payloads, and development of other payloads. This funding will help "jump start" the design process by examining advanced concepts for the next submarine and help support the submarine design workforce.
-$3.2 million for Chesapeake Sciences in Stonington to continue research on the Twinline, Thinline towed array for submarines. The authorization supports continued development of the Twinline Thinline Towed Array. The TLTL array is a set of advanced sensor arrays that will be towed behind submarines to increase detection capabilities in the rear baffles of the ship. The advanced technology of the TLTL will improve the detection, fire control and self defense capabilities in shallower littoral waters.
-$1.6 million for University of Connecticut research into the use of sensors to track the health of soldiers. Authorization will be used to continue and expand work with the Army's Medical Research and Material Command at Fort Detrick, MD in the development and prototyping of a series of advanced implantable nanosensors that track the health of troops. These sensors can track, over extended periods of time, a variety of physiological indicators related to the soldiers' health, alertness and ultimately their protection.
-$13.6 million for Connecticut National Guard Readiness Center in Niantic. This authorization will support construction of a 50,000 square foot Connecticut National Guard Readiness center located at Camp Rell, Connecticut's primary military training site. The new Readiness center will provide administrative offices, classrooms, library, service spaces, kitchen, storage and a fitness center for Connecticut-based armed forces. Two National Guard units are planned to occupy this new facility: a Military Police (MP) Battalion Headquarters and a Military Police (MP) Company.
Other items:
-Supporting Servicemembers and their families. The Conference report authorizes a 3.5 percent across the board pay increase for all service members, and rejects the President's proposed increases in TRICARE and pharmacy user fees. In addition, the report incorporated provisions of the Support for Injured Servicemembers Act (H.R. 3481), which Congressman Courtney is a cosponsor of, by expanding the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide a family member who is caring for a wounded service member extended leave from 12 work weeks to 26 work weeks.
-Restoring Military Readiness. The bill creates a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to ensure our nation is able to rapidly provide resources to our military to address critical shortfalls. In addition, the Conference Report authorizes an additional $980 million for critical equipment shortfalls for the National Guard and Reserve and authorizes $27 billion to restore the readiness of the Army and Marine Corps.
-Caring for our Wounded Warriors. The Conference Report includes the House-Senate agreement on the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538), which improves the care our wounded warriors receive by requiring the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy for improving the transition of wounded warriors from military to civilian care.
-Improving the role of the National Guard. The Conference report includes several provisions of the National Guard Empowerment Act (H.R. 718), of which Congressman Courtney is a cosponsor. Specifically, the report elevates the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to the rank of a four star general, which puts the position at the level of leaders of other military services, and enhances coordination between the National Guard Bureau and the Department of Defense.
-Supporting Military Retirees and Survivors. The report authorizes a monthly payment of $50 to surviving spouses who are denied the full amount of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) because they are also receiving other benefits. In addition, it authorizes disabled retirees who are 100 percent disabled to receive full concurrent receipt of both their retired military pay and disability compensation, retroactive to January 1, 2005.
-Protecting our troops. The Conference Report authorizes $17.6 billion for additional MRAP armored vehicles, $4.8 billion for anti-IED efforts, $1.2 billion for body armor and $3.3 billion for up-armored Humvees.
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