Current Navy Plan Calls For Naval Operational Support Center to Move from North Versailles to 911th Base; Reversal Could Further Imperil 911th
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve, urging the Navy to proceed with its plan to move the Naval Operation Support Center (NOSC) from North Versailles to the 911th base.
NOSC’s North Versailles headquarters no longer fits its needs and the unit has long planned to move operations to the 911th base. A reversal by the NOSC in the wake of the Pentagon’s proposal to close the 911th could further imperil the base’s future. In his letter, Senator Casey urged the Navy to continue with its planned move of NOSC resources because the Pentagon’s proposal to close the 911th isn’t final.
“The 911th base already has the workforce, assets and resources to house the NOSC’s operations. There’s no reason for the Navy to abandon their plan to move the NOSC from North Versailles to the 911th,” Senator Casey said. “This summer the Commissary and Post Exchange will break ground -- the NOSC should do the same in the near future.
The 911th has long called Pittsburgh its home and has made significant contributions to the country’s national defense as well as serving as an economic catalyst for the region. Specifically, the men and women of the base have supported the C-130 aircraft and personnel deployments throughout the world. The 911th’s excellent workforce has made a positive impact on country’s national defense strategy and has met its recruitment goals when other bases around the country failed to do so.
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter to Vice Admiral Debbink can be seen below:
The Honorable Dirk J. Debbink
Chief of Navy Reserve
Commander, Navy Reserve Force
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C.
Dear Vice Admiral Debbink:
It is my understanding that the Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) currently located in North Versailles, PA plans to award a contract for its new headquarters building. It has been explained that the current home for the NOSC is in poor physical condition, and I was pleased to support the funding of $14.6M for a new 30,000 square foot facility scheduled to be located at the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh. I continue to remain supportive of this project and would urge the Navy to begin construction at the 911th Airlift Wing.
The proposed plans to close the 911th base announced on February 3rd have not been finalized. Moreover, the Pittsburgh International Airport Corridor will continue to be home to numerous military assets that are not impacted by the Air Force proposal including 171st Pennsylvania Air National Guard and the U.S. Army 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC). The area will also welcome the relocated Commissary and Post Exchange which is scheduled to break ground this summer.
Thank you for your service to the country and commitment to our national security.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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