COLORADO SPRINGS - U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet joined the Senate in unanimously passing a bill that includes $443.3 million in new federal funding for construction projects at Fort Carson, Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases, and the Air Force Academy. A final version of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010 must now be worked out with the U.S. House of Representatives.
Funding included in the bill will help pay to replace old, substandard barracks and training facilities at Fort Carson, provide new squadron operations and headquarters facilities at Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases, expand the Cadet Fitness Center at the Air Force Academy, and purchase land for a new Army Reserve Center.
"This funding will provide cutting-edge training opportunities for our soldiers and airmen and women, while helping our military bases continue to be good places to live and work," Senator Udall said. "Our active duty, Guard and Reserve troops are a vital part of the Pikes Peak community. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was proud to fight for Colorado Springs-area military bases in this bill, and I'm very glad it passed the Senate with unanimous support."
"The Pikes Peak region is home to some of our country's most capable military men and women," Senator Bennet said. "With these funds, we'll make investments that will strengthen our troops' ability to perform in the field. Funding for a better Convoy Skills Trainer in Fort Carson, in particular, is absolutely necessary to ensure they have the training they need given the dangers our troops are facing in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Below is a list of funding for Colorado Springs-area military facilities included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill:
Fort Carson
Training Aids Center (to house training equipment) - $18.5 million
Brigade Complex - $69 million
Rail yard expansion (to allow Army to assemble trains in railyard itself as opposed to offsite location) - $14 million
Warrior in Transition Complex - $56 million
Automated Qualification Training Range - $11 million
Automated Multipurpose Machine Gun Range - $7.4 million
Convoy Live Fire Range - $6.5million
Scout/Reconnaissance Gunnery Complex - $16 million
Commissary - $35 million
Barracks and dining (second phase) - $60 million
Battalion Ops Complex (for additional Special Operations battalion as part of force structure changes) - $45.2 million
SOF Military Working Dog Facility - $3.046 million
Health and Dental Clinic - $31.9 million
Convoy Skills Trainer - $1.95 million
Total = $375.496 million
Peterson Air Force Base
C-130 Squad Ops/Aircraft Maintenance Unit - $5.2 million
National Security Space Institute (relocating and expanding current structure) - $19.9 million
Street Widening - $2 million
Total = $27.1 million
Air Force Academy
Cadet Fitness Center Addition - $17.5 million
Schriever AFB
310th Space Wing (Reserve) Headquarters - $10.2 million
Colorado Springs
Land for new Army Reserve Center - $13 million
