News Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) announced today that $25 million for Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) is included in the Military Construction bill approved by the House last week.  Spratt is Chairman of the House Budget Committee and the second-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure plan, Shaw AFB must prepare for the arrival of some 1,350 Army personnel, 50 civilian contractors, and their families from Headquarters Third U.S. Army at Fort McPherson, Georgia.  The majority of relocating personnel will arrive at Shaw AFB in October 2010, and $25 million of Air Force funding is necessary to ready the base for these future residents. 

Shaw AFB does not now have sufficient infrastructure or base operating support facilities to accommodate the influx of personnel at its Fitness Center, Library, Child Care Center, Temporary Lodging Facility, Religious Education Facility and Visiting Quarters.  Congressman Spratt noted, “This funding will go a long way toward supplying the capacity for welcoming arriving personnel and contributing to effective joint operations while increasing morale and productivity.”

House passage of the bill is a long step toward final funding, but it is one of three steps in the process.  The funding request still must clear the Senate and the President’s desk.

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