McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

May 26, 2008

Boren says millions in federal spending coming to McAAP

From submitted reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Dan Boren, a member of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, has secured $35 million in the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act to benefit Oklahoma.

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives late Thursday evening by a vote 384 to 23.

“The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, and our other military installations and defense research centers, make Oklahoma a critical component of our nation’s national security apparatus. This role is especially important in this time of war,” Boren said.

“I’m pleased to provide these vital resources to expand military capabilities and invest in the future nation’s defense.”

Funding Boren secured in the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act includes:

• $15 million for the Excalibur extended-range artillery projectile. Excalibur is the Army’s only close-fight precision artillery projectile. The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant will be utilized in loading a portion of these shells.

• $8.5 million for Ground Warfare Acoustical Combat System (GWACS) development. GWACS is a small arms and light weapons detection system.

• $6 million for the construction of connecting rail at McAAP. The new rail will connect the existing rail at the 38AT Magazine Group to the existing rail at the Ashland Depot to allow for expedited movement of munitions.

• $4 million for the procurement of ammunition peculiar equipment (APE) out-loading equipment at the McAlester Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), allowing ammunition to be moved more efficiently.

• $1.5 million for power conversion equipment to be used in the research and development of power generation technologies for future naval vessels, including the U.S. Nave DDG-1000 Destroyer Program and the CG(X) Cruiser Program.

The legislation provides all service members a pay raise of 3.9 percent and extends the authority for the Department of Defense to offer bonuses and incentive pay. The bill also aids servicemen and women and their families by rejecting the plan to increase premiums and co-pays for the military and retirees who are enrolled in the TRICARE system.

This provision will save troops, their families and military retirees $1.2 billion.

The measure also helps restore our nation’s military readiness by funding the Army’s and Marine Corps’ equipment reset requirements, authorizing nearly $2 billion for unfunded readiness initiatives including addressing additional equipment shortfalls, and authorizing $800 million to provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment.

The bill also protects troops in harm’s way by authorizing $2.6 billion for additional Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, $947 million for additional Up-Armored Humvees, and $783 million for the continued procurement and enhancement of personal body armor.

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