House Defense Bill Includes Major Funding for Mansfield, Jordan Announces
July 6, 2009
A defense bill passed by the House of Representatives authorizes $11.4 million for Air National Guard facility construction at Mansfield Lahm Airport, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) has announced.
The provision, requested by Jordan for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, is contained in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved with Jordan's support by a 389 to 22 vote today, with one voting present.
"This is outstanding news for Mansfield," Jordan said. "This new federal funding will bring good construction jobs to the region and a significant boost to the local economy."
The funding will be put toward the construction of facilities to house a 200-person detachment of the 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) Squadron activated at Mansfield Lahm last year.
RED HORSE units provide heavy repair and construction functions where land-based forces are not available or practical. These self-sufficient air-based units are designed for rapid deployment to remote, high-threat environments.
As Jordan noted in an April letter to the House Armed Services Committee, the 200th RED HORSE detachment currently operates out of facilities that are too small and not configured for its mission. As a result, important training missions are often postponed, resulting in a reduced level of readiness.
Actual funding for RED HORSE construction will be determined by Congress later this year. Jordan said that he will work to protect the authorized funding as work continues on the 2010 budget.
Overall, the defense bill authorizes $680.4 billion for national defense programs in Fiscal Year 2010, including $5.5 billion for mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles. It establishes a 3.4-percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the military, 0.5 percent higher than President Obama recommended.
"This bill, while not perfect, reflects our steadfast commitment to maintaining a strong national defense," Jordan noted. "It honors the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform as they protect and serve our nation at home and abroad."
The provision, requested by Jordan for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, is contained in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved with Jordan's support by a 389 to 22 vote today, with one voting present.
"This is outstanding news for Mansfield," Jordan said. "This new federal funding will bring good construction jobs to the region and a significant boost to the local economy."
The funding will be put toward the construction of facilities to house a 200-person detachment of the 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) Squadron activated at Mansfield Lahm last year.
RED HORSE units provide heavy repair and construction functions where land-based forces are not available or practical. These self-sufficient air-based units are designed for rapid deployment to remote, high-threat environments.
As Jordan noted in an April letter to the House Armed Services Committee, the 200th RED HORSE detachment currently operates out of facilities that are too small and not configured for its mission. As a result, important training missions are often postponed, resulting in a reduced level of readiness.
Actual funding for RED HORSE construction will be determined by Congress later this year. Jordan said that he will work to protect the authorized funding as work continues on the 2010 budget.
Overall, the defense bill authorizes $680.4 billion for national defense programs in Fiscal Year 2010, including $5.5 billion for mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles. It establishes a 3.4-percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the military, 0.5 percent higher than President Obama recommended.
"This bill, while not perfect, reflects our steadfast commitment to maintaining a strong national defense," Jordan noted. "It honors the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform as they protect and serve our nation at home and abroad."