Courtney Votes For Major Infrastructure Investment For The Connecticut Air National Guard And Against Authorization For A New Round Of Military BRAC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after passage of the House Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee mark of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act today:

“As a longtime champion of Connecticut’s “Flying Yankees,” I am pleased that this measure will support the last major piece of their transition to their new C-130 flying mission,” said Courtney. “On the House Armed Services Committee I have worked hard, along with my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, to end years of uncertainty for the unit by securing a relevant and enduring mission for our Air National Guard. This small air terminal will provide the facilities they need to fully support that mission, and coupled with the long-term avionics upgrades I have supported, this measure continues to ensure a bright future for the Flying Yankees.”

Among other things, the Readiness mark:

Denies the request for a new BRAC: The readiness mark denies the administration’s request to authorize a new base closing round in 2019. This marks the fifth year that the subcommittee has rejected a new BRAC request.

Supports Connecticut Air National Guard flying mission: The mark authorizes the $6.3 million request in the President’s budget proposal for a military construction project to build a new Small Air Terminal at the Connecticut Air National Guard base at Bradley International Airport. The project is the last major infrastructure investment needed to finish the conversion of the 103rd Airlift Wing to its new C-130H cargo aircraft mission. That mission, which resulted from a plan that Congressman Courtney helped secure in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, assigns eight C-130H aircraft to Connecticut and ends years of uncertainty after the loss of its last flying mission, the A-10, in the 2005 base closing process. Yesterday, Congressman Courtney secured continued support as part of the Seapower and Projection Forces mark for upgrading the C-130H fleet with critical avionics and propulsion upgrades aimed at keeping the Connecticut C-130Hs flying, capable and relevant for the decades to come.

The readiness mark must next be considered by the full Houses Armed Services Committee next week and by the full House next month. In addition to the authorization for the Small Air Terminal, Congressman Courtney and Congressman John Larson (CT-1) urged the House Appropriations Committee to provide full funding for the project last month. The House Appropriations Committee approved the 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which contains funding for the project, on April 13. It must next be approved by the full House.

Source: Congressman Joe Courtney