FY09 Defense Budget To Authorize Funding for Military Construction
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today announced that the Department of Defense budget is expected to authorize $22.9 million in federal funding for Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The Senate Armed Services Committee completed mark up of the Fiscal Year 2009 authorization bill for the Department of Defense on Thursday. It is anticipated that when the Committee reports its legislation today to the full Senate, $22.9 million will be authorized for military construction at Letterkenny Army Depot.
“Letterkenny Army Depot is a cornerstone in South Central Pennsylvania and plays a critical role in our Nation’s national security,” Senator Specter said. “I am pleased that my colleagues have authorized these funds to improve infrastructure and enable Letterkenny to continue to grow and make significant contributions to our nation’s defense.”
“The funding authorized by the Senate Armed Services Committee will go a long way to help support Letterkenny Army Depot and, in turn, our national defense,” said Senator Casey. “The Depot plays a vital role in South Central Pennsylvania’s economy and I will continue to work with Senator Specter to push for projects that enhance our nation’s military readiness.”
At the request of Senator Specter and Casey, the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized $8 million for upgrades to Letterkenny’s Munitions Igloos. Letterkenny’s Munitions Center (LEMC) is a major receiving, storage, maintenance and shipping site for both tactical missiles and conventional munitions. Over $6 billion and 100,000 tons of munitions from all services are stored at the depot; however, the munition igloos, constructed in the 1940s, are inadequate in handling today’s demands. This authorization will allow military construction funds to enhance the infrastructure and improve Letterkenny’s ability to respond to emerging challenges.
Additionally, the Committee has authorized $14.9 million for construction of a new Army Reserve Center at Letterkenny Army Depot. Current Reserve facilities are out of date and contain insufficient storage areas for military equipment. The new Center will provide a 300 member training facility with administrative areas, classrooms, assembly hall, arms vault, kitchen, equipment storage areas, physical training rooms, and maintenance facilities. An area maintenance facility will house higher level maintenance operations for the entire region.
Senator Specter has a long record of supporting Letterkenny Army Depot. Since 2002, Senator Specter has worked to secure over $35 million for Letterkenny.
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“Letterkenny Army Depot is a cornerstone in South Central Pennsylvania and plays a critical role in our Nation’s national security,” Senator Specter said. “I am pleased that my colleagues have authorized these funds to improve infrastructure and enable Letterkenny to continue to grow and make significant contributions to our nation’s defense.”
“The funding authorized by the Senate Armed Services Committee will go a long way to help support Letterkenny Army Depot and, in turn, our national defense,” said Senator Casey. “The Depot plays a vital role in South Central Pennsylvania’s economy and I will continue to work with Senator Specter to push for projects that enhance our nation’s military readiness.”
At the request of Senator Specter and Casey, the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized $8 million for upgrades to Letterkenny’s Munitions Igloos. Letterkenny’s Munitions Center (LEMC) is a major receiving, storage, maintenance and shipping site for both tactical missiles and conventional munitions. Over $6 billion and 100,000 tons of munitions from all services are stored at the depot; however, the munition igloos, constructed in the 1940s, are inadequate in handling today’s demands. This authorization will allow military construction funds to enhance the infrastructure and improve Letterkenny’s ability to respond to emerging challenges.
Additionally, the Committee has authorized $14.9 million for construction of a new Army Reserve Center at Letterkenny Army Depot. Current Reserve facilities are out of date and contain insufficient storage areas for military equipment. The new Center will provide a 300 member training facility with administrative areas, classrooms, assembly hall, arms vault, kitchen, equipment storage areas, physical training rooms, and maintenance facilities. An area maintenance facility will house higher level maintenance operations for the entire region.
Senator Specter has a long record of supporting Letterkenny Army Depot. Since 2002, Senator Specter has worked to secure over $35 million for Letterkenny.
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