September 19, 2008

MARTINEZ: MILITARY BUDGET AUTHORIZATION PASSES SENATE

Senator secures $292 Million in Military Construction Projects for Florida

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) this week voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization Act. This legislation authorizes program and project spending for the United States military and includes a 3.5 percent pay increase for all uniformed personnel. The measure also adds more than $120 million for nonproliferation efforts to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and helps to guarantee that the United States continues to have the best prepared and equipped fighting force in the world. The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 88 to 8.

“This ensures that our service men and women are equipped with the resources, training, technology and authorities needed to succeed in their missions,” said Martinez, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We are increasing the pay for military personnel and providing their families with the support they deserve. This measure also authorizes a number of construction projects that are extremely important for the modernization and improvement of Florida’s many military bases. I will continue to work to ensure that Florida remains a military-friendly state where our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines can train for their missions and live comfortably with their families.”

The FY 09 Defense Authorization Act will now be sent to conference to be reconciled with the U.S. House of Representatives version.

Senator Martinez secured $292.19 million in military construction projects for the following Florida bases:
Camp Blanding, National Guard Station
$12.4 Million
Funds construction associated with the Ammunition Supply Point.

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
$8 Million
Satellite Operations Support Facility

Defense Logistics Agency, Jacksonville
$34 Million
Funds will be used to replace fuel storage tanks.

Eglin Air Force Base (2 projects)
$19 Million
Funds construction of 144 Room, F-35 Student Dormitory.

$40 Million
Funds construction costs associated with the Special Operations Forces Battalion Operations Complex.

Hurlburt Field, Air Force Base
$8.9 Million
Funds will be used for construction of a Special Operations Forces Special Tactics Group Facility

MacDill Air Force Base (2 Projects)
$21 Million
Funds the Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) Headquarters and Commandant Facility

$10.5 Million
Funds the Special Operations Forces Add / Alter 501B (Headquarters, SOCOM)

Naval Air Station Jacksonville
$12.89 Million
Funds construction cost of Child Development Center.

Naval Station Mayport
$14.9 Million
The funding will be used for improvement to the Alpha Warf.

Southern Command Headquarters, Miami
$81.6 Million
Funds the second phase of construction for the new Southern Command Headquarters.

Special Operation Command Headquarters, Tampa
$29 Million
The funding will be used for the Joint Communications Squadron Facility.

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