BRAC Funding and Military Construction Budget Must Remain Priority to Ensure Military Preparedness and Troop Retention
WASHINGTON D.C. Today in a hearing of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) Texas senior Senator asked Department of Defense witnesses about the status of planned military construction and efforts to ensure that all BRAC required construction projects are completed on time and meet the statutory deadline of September 2011.
While questioning Brigadier General James Boozer US Army the Director of Operations and Assistant Chief of Staff Installation Management Senator Hutchison was able to get confirmation that the Armys planned movement of two combat brigades from Germany back to the United States is on schedule. One of these brigades is expected to be moved to Fort Bliss bringing an additional 3500 soldiers and their families to the El Paso area. All planned military construction to support this movement is on schedule.
Senator Hutchison: What effect will the stopping at 45 have on the statement of the commander at EUCOM (European Command) that he is recommending that two of the brigades stay in Germany for two years longer? Are you saying that that decision has not been made or that the stopping at 45 does not necessarily mean that the decision has been made that some would stay…that two would stay in Europe? If you could clarify for me…
Brigadier General Boozer: Yes Maam. Im sorry for the confusion. The armys position one is that those two brigades will return as I indicated. In FY12 and FY13. Theyre almost two separate issues. The decision for the 45 is completely independent of the two brigades coming back from Germany. That issue will be reviewed during the QDR (Quadrennial Defense Review).
Senator Hutchison: I understand. That is exactly the clarification I was looking for. So youre moving on schedule as long as MILCON stays on schedule to move those troops as originally determined…?
Brigadier General Boozer: Yes Maam.
In her introductory statement Senator Hutchison also highlighted the role that the maneuver areas and state-of-the art ranges at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss play in ensuring US Army soldiers maintain the highest state of combat readiness.
Senator Hutchison: Our U.S. installations at places like Fort Hood Fort Bliss and Fort Bragg offer large maneuver areas automated ranges modern simulator training and few restrictions on night time flying and training. As a result soldiers trained in the United States and deployed overseas are better prepared to fight on Day One of a conflict than those stationed overseas where our forces must contend with onerous training restrictions.
Senator Hutchison was also able to confirm that all military construction projects to support BRAC-related troop movements have remained on schedule. These projects which are scheduled to be completed by September of 2011 will bring more than $761 million in FY2010 funding to the state of Texas.
Senator Hutchison: Let me ask you also in the general BRAC arena if the budget that you have this year plus last year if you feel youre on schedule for having all of the BRAC construction done on the September 2011 timeframe?
Brigadier General Boozer: Yes Maam. I believe we are on schedule. We are on track. Were essentially halfway through the program. Over 180 projects of 326 are either complete or being constructed. That leaves us 146 projects remaining to execute. Our intent with timely funding is to advertise for projects during the 4th quarter of this year so that we can award them right at the start of first quarter 2010. But BRAC timeline were right on track Maam.
Sen. Hutchison is Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Committees Subcommittee on Military Construction Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. Throughout her career Senator Hutchison has been a tireless advocate for Texas military communities and veterans.
