$40 million earmarked for Edwards, China Lake

Valley Press on . ^ | Friday, November 7, 2003 | No By-Line

[BenLurkin]

WASHINGTON - Congress on Tuesday gave final approval to nearly $40 million to fund projects for Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. The funding was included in the conference report for the Military Construction Appropriations Act for 2004. "The nation's most advanced weapons systems and aircraft are developed and tested at Edwards and China Lake," said Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield. "Having modern facilities and infrastructure at both bases is absolutely essential. Some of the buildings these funds will help replace were built in the 1950s.

"The use of half-century-old buildings to prepare for modern warfare is unacceptable, and I was pleased to support these requests to modernize Edwards and China Lake."

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, added "Edwards and the China Lake weapons division play an integral role in our national security, but some of the facilities are woefully outdated and require fundamental improvements to handle the military challenges of the 21st century. I am pleased to have once again worked with my good friend Bill Thomas in securing this vital funding for Edwards and China Lake, and look forward to the bill's speedy consideration by the Senate."

The bill goes to the Senate, and if approved there, to President George W. Bush for his signature.

The construction projects include:

$7.3 million for the construction of a new 21,000-square-foot Edwards base operations facility to support the Air Force Flight Test Center mission.

$19 million to renovate and add to a hangar for the joint strike fighter test program at Edwards.

$12.23 million secured for Phase III construction of a Propellants and Explosives Laboratory at China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division.

Nearly $5.16 billion, or 55% of the total bill, will go toward the following military construction projects; $3.8 billion, or 41%, will go to military family housing projects, and $337 million, or 4%, will go to base realignment and closure.

The funding of various projects is:

$1.2 billion for barracks

$16.5 million for child development centers

$159 million for hospital and medical facilities

$120 million for chemical demilitarization

$161 million for NATO security investment

$730 million for Guard and Reserve

$1.1 billion for new family housing units and improvements to existing units.

$2.7 billion for operation and maintenance of existing units

$323 million for environmental cleanup

$47 million for operations and maintenance.

[Last Dakotan]

What a coincidence! My house was built in the '50's and I am launching the effoert to pay for this from this old dwelling.