Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today highlighted important South Dakota priorities included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Conference Report. The conference report authorizes $680 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects. The bill also includes a 3.4 percent across the board pay raise for servicemen and women. The Senate and the House of Representatives each passed versions of the bill earlier this year and the final conference agreement was reached earlier today.
During the Armed Services Committee markup of the bill, Senator Thune included an amendment to preserve the Next Generation Bomber program. The Next Generation Bomber program has been targeted for termination by the Obama Administration, even though almost half of the nation's bomber inventory pre-dates the Cuban Missile Crisis. In response to this proposal, Senator Thune introduced legislation earlier this year known as the Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act (S. 1044), which formed the basis of the Thune Amendment ultimately adopted in the conference report. Not only is the Next Generation Bomber important for our nation's future security needs, but Ellsworth Air Force Base is uniquely suited to be the bed down location for the long range strike platform.
"The Next Generation Bomber will be critical to preserving our nation's ability to project power as we face a future where potential adversaries continue to acquire sophisticated air defense systems," said Thune. "While the fight to preserve this program is far from over, the adoption of my amendment is a substantial step toward preserving this important long range strike capability."
The conference report also includes an amendment offered by Senator Thune to ensure congressional participation in the independent and bipartisan panel required by statute that will review the 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review currently being developed by the Department of Defense.
Senator Thune, along with Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), also sponsored an amendment to the bill passed by the Senate that resolved technical issues relating to the transfer of land from Ellsworth Air Force Base to the recently formed South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. The transfer is supported by the U.S. Air Force and state and local leaders. This amendment was included in the final version of the bill by the Conference Committee.
"Ellsworth Air Force Base's importance to our national security and South Dakota's economy is well understood," said Thune. "The South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority will help create more economic opportunity for the state and local communities while providing important support for the base's missions."
"The work done by South Dakota's Armed Forces personnel, military facilities, and research institutions contributed greatly to our national defense. By investing in these projects, we are equipping America's men and women in uniform to meet challenges defending our country and defending freedom around the globe."
Senator Thune is a member of the Armed Services Committee and is the ranking Republican on the Airland Subcommittee, which oversees Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tactical aviation programs in addition to Army programs.
The bill includes the following items relating to South Dakota:
B-1 provisions:
The Defense Authorization conference report is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives and Senate in the coming days and upon passage, it will be sent to the President for his consideration.
During the Armed Services Committee markup of the bill, Senator Thune included an amendment to preserve the Next Generation Bomber program. The Next Generation Bomber program has been targeted for termination by the Obama Administration, even though almost half of the nation's bomber inventory pre-dates the Cuban Missile Crisis. In response to this proposal, Senator Thune introduced legislation earlier this year known as the Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act (S. 1044), which formed the basis of the Thune Amendment ultimately adopted in the conference report. Not only is the Next Generation Bomber important for our nation's future security needs, but Ellsworth Air Force Base is uniquely suited to be the bed down location for the long range strike platform.
"The Next Generation Bomber will be critical to preserving our nation's ability to project power as we face a future where potential adversaries continue to acquire sophisticated air defense systems," said Thune. "While the fight to preserve this program is far from over, the adoption of my amendment is a substantial step toward preserving this important long range strike capability."
The conference report also includes an amendment offered by Senator Thune to ensure congressional participation in the independent and bipartisan panel required by statute that will review the 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review currently being developed by the Department of Defense.
Senator Thune, along with Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), also sponsored an amendment to the bill passed by the Senate that resolved technical issues relating to the transfer of land from Ellsworth Air Force Base to the recently formed South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. The transfer is supported by the U.S. Air Force and state and local leaders. This amendment was included in the final version of the bill by the Conference Committee.
"Ellsworth Air Force Base's importance to our national security and South Dakota's economy is well understood," said Thune. "The South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority will help create more economic opportunity for the state and local communities while providing important support for the base's missions."
"The work done by South Dakota's Armed Forces personnel, military facilities, and research institutions contributed greatly to our national defense. By investing in these projects, we are equipping America's men and women in uniform to meet challenges defending our country and defending freedom around the globe."
Senator Thune is a member of the Armed Services Committee and is the ranking Republican on the Airland Subcommittee, which oversees Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tactical aviation programs in addition to Army programs.
The bill includes the following items relating to South Dakota:
B-1 provisions:
- $257.6 million for the modernization and upgrade of 67 B-1B bombers. These funds would go toward the procurement, modernization, and upgrade of combat capabilities of the entire U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber fleet, including those at Ellsworth AFB.
- $14.5 million to provide a central base deployment facility for Ellsworth AFB. This structure will replace the old base deployment facility which is partially condemned. The facility is used to prepare and process personnel and material for overseas deployment.
- $7.89 million to complete construction of the Joint Forces Headquarters Readiness Center at Camp Rapid in Rapid City. This building will provide the National Guard a facility to perform all tasks associated with readiness for national defense and homeland support missions.
- $1.9 million to expand the Troop Medical Clinic at Camp Rapid. The Medical Clinic addition will provide additional bays, exam rooms, and administrative space, relieving serious overcrowding issues within the current facility.
- $2.6 million to improve the munitions storage and maintenance facilities at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. The construction will properly size and equip the facilities to support the Air National Guard munitions requirements and improve unit readiness.
- $4.5 million for three research and development initiatives at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. These initiatives will investigate advanced materials processing used to repair Navy weapon systems, explore smart integrated materials and manufacturing processes for use in future weapon systems, and develop sophisticated methods to convert biomass to biofuels.
- $3 million for research at South Dakota State University to create renewable jet fuel from lignocellulosic feedstocks. This project will concentrate on creating a biofuel with the energy density and operating temperature range necessary for military aviation uses.
- $1.5 million to expand technologies used to repair aging and battle damaged weapon systems. This project provides funding for H.F. Webster, Inc. of Rapid City to expand techniques proven during the 2008 Aging Weapon Systems Repair Qualification Program. Results to date indicate repair cost savings of nearly 33 to 1 return on investment.
- $3 million for Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration (AERI), to validate and transition technical advancements in Army missile defense system electronics - reducing the size, weight, and cost of electronic circuit cards, components, wire harnesses, and electronic cabling. The AERI program is conducted at Rosebud Indian Reservation and is being structured to resolve a host of electronic circuitry production needs emanating from the world-wide movement to non-hazardous materials and lead-free circuitry as well as the growth in U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) system complexity.
- $680 billion overall funding level ($534 billion for standard Pentagon activities, $130 billion for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and $16.4 billion for the Energy Department)
- Authorizes a 3.4 percent across the board pay raise for servicemen and women
- Authorizes active duty end strength over the previous year for the following Services:
- Army: 562,400 - an increase of 30,400
- Marines: 202,100 - an increase of 8,100
- Air Force: 331,700 - an increase of 14,650
- Navy: 328,800 - an increase of 2,477
- Provides $6.7 billion for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Fund
The Defense Authorization conference report is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives and Senate in the coming days and upon passage, it will be sent to the President for his consideration.
