September 27, 2008

MARTINEZ: DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION PASSES CONGRESS

Measure includes pay raise for uniformed military; authorizes $344 Million in Military Construction Projects for Florida

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced that the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization Act passed the U.S. Senate. This legislation, authorizing program and project spending for the United States military, includes a 3.9 percent pay increase for all uniformed personnel. The measure also adds $373 million above the President’s original $10.4 billion request in missile defense capabilities and technology development programs to ensure our armed forces are equipped to deal with the threats of the 21st Century.

“Our service men and women deserve to have the resources necessary to protect our nation and provide for their families,” said Martinez, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This bill increases the pay for military personnel and provides resources to increase the size of the military, ensuring that the U.S. continues to have the best prepared and equipped fighting force to counter threats against our country.”

The legislation authorizes increasing the size of the Army by 7,000 troops and the Marine Corps by 5,000, while increasing the Air Force to 313,050 and the Navy to 326,323. It also reauthorizes over 25 bonus and special pay authorities and extends, for an additional year, the prohibition on increasing TRICARE beneficiary cost shares and pharmacy co-pays. The measure authorizes more than $187 million for nonproliferation efforts to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The FY 09 Defense Authorization Act will now be sent to the White House for the President’s signature.

“Florida remains vital to U.S. national security and I am pleased this measure includes a number of construction projects that will improve our operations and training military bases in the state,” Martinez said.

The legislation includes $344.86 million in military construction projects for the following Florida bases:

Camp Blanding, National Guard Station (2 projects)
$12.4 Million
Funds construction associated with the Ammunition Supply Point.

$20.907 Million
This funding will be used for phase 4 of the Regional Training Institute.

Cape Canaveral Air Station
$8 Million
Funding will be used for Satellite Operations Support Facility.

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

Eglin Air Force Base (4 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.

$11 Million *Secures funding for FY ’08 project.
Funds used for the construction of a Child Development Center.

$780,000 *Secures funding FY ’08 project.
Funds used for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Battle Course Facility.

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 (3 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).

$5 Million
Funding will be used for a Combat Training Facility.

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

Naval Station Mayport (2 projects)
$14.9 Million
The funding will be used for improvement to the Alpha Warf.

$3.38 Million
Funds will be used for Aircraft Refueling.

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.

Tyndall Air Force Base
$11.6 Million
Funds will be used for the 325 ACS Operations Training Complex.


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