The National Defense Authorization Act conference report passed by the House Friday gives the military the tools it needs to maintain the world’s greatest fighting force and to provide quality-of-life improvements for American soldiers and veterans, U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey said.
“Georgia’s 11th District is a winner in this bill,” Gingrey said. “This defense authorization recognizes that disabled veterans shouldn’t have their retirement benefits offset by the amount of their disability benefits. It also includes important provisions for my district’s military installations and for west Georgia manufacturers who sell products to the military.
“Fort Benning in Columbus and Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta will both see significant construction that I hope bodes well for their futures as we enter another round of base closures in 2005. Plus, orders for military aircraft will save jobs at Lockheed Martin in Marietta and Engineered Fabrics in Rockmart.
“As our country continues the War on Terror, this Congress is making sure that we have what it takes to win.”
Projects important to the 11th District include:
PROGRAM FUNDING
$445.9 million for the procurement of five C-130J’s, and enhancements to others, manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga
$4.06 billion for the procurement of 22 F/A-22 fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga, and $936 million for continued research and development of the aircraft
$111.7 million for the C-5 Galaxy Avionics Modernization Program performed by Lockheed-Martin in Marietta, Ga., an additional $19.7 million above the President’s Budget Request;
$209.6 million for the procurement of 17 Blackhawk Helicopters, which use fuel tanks manufactured by Engineering Fabrics in Rockmart, Ga., an additional $70.7 million above the President’s Budget Request
$41 million, an additional $5 million above the President’s Budget Request, for a re-engining program on the E-8C JSTARS aircraft to be performed by Northrop Grumman in Warner Robins, Ga, and Pratt and Whitney in Columbus, Ga.
$872 million for the procurement of 9 V-22 Osprey Marine Tilt-rotor aircraft, which use fuel tanks manufactured by Engineering Fabrics in Rockmart, Ga.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
$30 million at Fort Benning for a Multi-Purpose Training Range Complex
$2.85 million at Fort Benning for a Fire Station for Two Company
$1.65 million at Fort Benning for an Infantry Squad Battle Course
$4.2 million at Dobbins Air Reserve Base for the North Side Overpass
