U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) presided over her first hearing as chair of the Senate Armed Services Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee. In her remarks today, Senator Ayotte discussed the importance of New Hampshire's national security assets to our nation, including the New Hampshire National Guard, Pease Air National Guard Base and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Ayotte also reiterated her opposition to the administration's request for another Base Realignment and Closure round.
EXCERPTS OF OPENING REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY:
"...I had the opportunity to welcome the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Welsh, to Pease Air National Guard Base last month where we discussed ongoing preparations for the KC-46A. In anticipation of the arrival of the KC-46A, I am pleased that the $41.9 million in military construction projects at Pease Air National Guard Base that we authorized last year in the fiscal year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are moving ahead. More specifically, the projects to modernize the aircraft ramp refueling system, reconfigure the airfield's parking apron and taxi lanes, and expand and upgrade two aircraft hangars are on track.
"I am also pleased that the Department is requesting $2.8 million for fiscal year 2016 for an upgrade to the flight simulator building at Pease. This will allow KC-46A pilots at Pease, as well as pilots from around the region and country, to augment their flight training with cost-efficient simulator training that is essential to maintain proficiency.
"While there is very positive MILCON progress for the New Hampshire Air National Guard military construction, I am troubled by the condition of New Hampshire Army National Guard readiness centers-a trend that I know is reflected around the country. However, the condition of readiness centers in New Hampshire is particularly unacceptable. The average condition index (CI) of New Hampshire Army National Guard readiness centers is Poor (64 out of a 100 scale), ranking New Hampshire 51 out of the 54 states and territories evaluated nationwide.
"The Manchester readiness center was constructed in 1938 and does not comply with building code standards-as well as life, health, safety and Anti-terrorism Force Protection standards. Members of the New Hampshire Army National Guard-and service members like them around the country-deserve better.
"I am pleased that the Department is finally requesting funding for New Hampshire Army National Guard vehicle maintenance shops in Hooksett and Rochester for fiscal year 2017, as well as a readiness centers in Pembroke and Concord for fiscal years 2018 and 2020, respectively. Considering the poor state of New Hampshire Army National Guard facilities, it is essential that these projects not be postponed and that they go forward as currently scheduled.
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"I also look forward to addressing the MILCON situation at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard-which is the Navy's center of excellence for fast attack submarine maintenance, modernization, and repair. I would like to get an update on the P-266 structural shops consolidation reprogramming. I also look forward to discussing two other military construction projects that I understand have been delayed from fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2018: P309 crane rail and P285 barracks."