Letter to James Syring, Vice Admiral of the Missile Defense Agency - Need for Missile Defense System in Fort Custer
Letter
Vice Admiral James D. Syring
Missile Defense Agency
5700 18th Street, Bldg 245
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5573
Dear Admiral Syring,
I write to voice my support for Fort Custer Training Center as the location for a new ground-based interceptor ballistic missile defense mission. Last week the Michigan State Senate adopted a resolution expressing support for bringing this mission to Fort Custer. I recently had the opportunity to visit Fort Custer where I was briefed on the installation's activities and saw the many advantages the site offers.
Fort Custer is strategically positioned between Detroit and Chicago and provides efficient access to two major interstate highways, I-94 and I-69. It is also nearby a 10,000-foot runway at W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base and the 110th Airlift Wing.
In 2010, Fort Custer was recognized by both the Department of Defense and the Army with awards for environmental stewardship. The nature of construction involved and operations required for a missile defense mission necessitate choosing an installation with a demonstrated capability for protecting the environment while supporting the mission.
Michigan's Governor and Adjutant General also strong support selection of Fort Custer for this mission. The resolution passed by the Michigan State Senate joins similar resolutions passed by the Michigan State House of Representatives, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, and the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners which demonstrate support for the mission from local elected officials. Southwest Michigan First and Battle Creek Unlimited, economic development organizations dedicated to the economic success of the region, also support bringing this mission to Fort Custer.
I am committed to supporting your agency's critical mission given the threat facing our nation. North Korea and Iran are attempting to develop increasingly sophisticated missiles and violent extremist groups, including well-financed groups like ISIS, present a constantly changing threat.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to select Fort Custer as the location for the next ground-based interceptor site.
Sincerely,
Gary C. Peters
United States Senator
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