Millions for Fort Indiantown Gap, York armory in defense bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The national Defense budget includes $20 million for construction at Fort Indiantown Gap and millions for other projects in Pennsylvania.
The Fort Indiantown Gap project was not included in the House or Senate versions of the legislation that authorizes funding for the nation’s military in 2017, but it appears in the $619 billion compromise bill. The House approved the compromise by a 375-34 vote. The Senate is to vote on the measure this week, which would then go to President Obama.
The compromise bill includes $9 billion more than President Obama had requested for the military and $17 billion more than the Senate initially approved.
U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Everett, was a chief negotiator for House members on the joint committee that came up with the compromise for military spending in 2017.
“We live in a dangerous world, and the strength of our armed forces is the key to protecting our homeland and defeating our enemies, especially radical Islamic terrorists,” Shuster said. “As we crafted this legislation, I worked to help reverse the devastating toll the Obama Administration has taken on our armed forces - ensuring we do not compromise our warfighters when comes to providing the necessary funding they need to execute their mission.”
The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act provides a 2.1 percent pay raise for troops, increases ground and aviation training, strengthens health care for service members and invests in modernizing weapons systems.
“This legislation also provides critical resources here in Pennsylvania to support the mission of Letterkenny Army Depot, and keep the installation off the chopping block and safe to continue its key mission of supporting Army operations,” Shuster said.
Shuster’s language to prohibit consideration of any military base realignment or closure was included in the final version of the NDAA that passed on Friday.
The bill does not list any military construction projects for Letterkenny, the largest employer in Franklin County, but authorizes projects at other installations in Pennsylvania.
The money for Fort Indiantown Gap will better secure the Army National Guard installation with fencing and two controlled access points, according to Joan Nissley, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The plans were reviewed during public meetings in 2012 and 2015.
“Due to operational security concerns the installation is unable to provide specifics,” Nissley said in an email.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Allentown, said he had secured an appropriation for the project earlier this year as a result of his work as chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. Indiantown Gap’s unsecured perimeter became more urgent this year after violence at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas.
A secure perimeter will protect troops from the local community who train at Indiantown Gap, according to Dent.
About 100,000 troops annually train at the Gap, one of the National Guard’s busiest training sites.
The NDAA also authorizes spending $9.3 million for a National Guard Readiness Center in York. The project appeared in both the House and Senate versions of the legislation. Money has yet to be appropriated.
“We expect that money when a federal budget is passed,” Nissley said. “Once the federal funds are received, (the state) will begin constructing the new armory. This could take up to two years.”
The state is planning to build an Army National Guard armory on 21 acres in West Manchester and Jackson Townships, York County. It’s estimated to cost $11 million. The state will pay the balance, according to Nissley.
National Guard plans to build a new armory
The current armory, built around 1912 on North George Street in York, is used by members of Company C of the 628th Support Battalion of the 28th Infantry Division. The state will work with the York City Redevelopment Authority so the existing site can be reused, according to Nissley.
The conference committee also went along with $85 million for projects to support an Air Force squadron of C-17s at the Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station. The projects at the Pittsburgh International Airport include $54 million for a two-bay corrosion and fuel hangar, $22.8 million for a fuel hydrant system and $8.2 million to pave a taxiway and apron.
Shuster was among 31 House members selected to serve on the conference committee negotiating the differences between the House and Senate bills.
“The NDAA contains the legislative measures needed to allow the military to continue its efforts with our allies to find and kill enemies like ISIS and protect against new and emerging threats across the globe,” Shuster said.
Shuster represents Pennsylvania’s 9th District, which includes Letterkenny Army Depot, the largest employer in Franklin County.
He has been a member of the House Armed Services Committee since 2005. He was a member of the conference committee for the 2013 NDAA.
Jim Hook 717-262-4759