News Release

WASHINGTON - The House today gave final congressional approval to a request by U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) for $16 million in new facilities at Shaw Air Force Base.  The money was part of an annual spending bill that funds military construction and the Veterans Administration.  The President is expected to sign the bill.

Spratt said that $9.7 million will go to building a new communications center for the 9th Air Force and $6.3 million will go to a new munitions facility.

The communications center will give the 9th Air Force consolidated command, control, and intelligence systems to help coordinate F-16s and other deployed assets. Communications facilities are currently spread across 17 buildings, many of which were not designed for that purpose, making coordination difficult and inefficient.

“9th Air Force coordinates all Air Force activity for Central Command, the command in charge of Mid-East operations,” said Spratt.  “This communications facility will be state-of-the-art and will give personnel at Shaw a virtual presence in the theater.”

Spratt said the munitions facility is needed for reasons of safety and security.  “The 20th Fighter Wing’s mission has grown, but munitions storage has not. They’ve not only got inadequate storage, but munitions and non-munitions maintenance underway in the same buildings.  It’s not as safe as it should be.”

Three new underground storage buildings and administrative support facilities will make up the new complex.  “Storing munitions underground extends the life of the weapons and makes for a safer work place,” Spratt said.

Spratt said he was pleased to see the $16 million appropriation come through, despite a tight budget.  “It’s a plus for Shaw and for Shaw’s airmen and their mission.”

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