Senator Tim Johnson

Throughout my career in the Congress, I have been a strong proponent of better funding for military pay, health care, education, and housing. My oldest son is in the Army and has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and most recently, Iraq. The stress on morale caused by poor quality-of-life issues not only affects the preparedness of our military units, but discourages some of our most able personnel from re-enlisting and makes recruitment more difficult. I will continue working to ensure the U.S. military remains the best trained and best equipped fighting force in the world.

The South Dakota Congressional Delegation and the Governor celebrated the decision to keep Ellsworth Air Force open at a press conference immediately following the vote by the BRAC Commission to keep Ellsworth open

Last year, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) overturned the Defense Department’s recommendation to close Ellsworth Air Force base. Ensuring that the Commission voted to remove Ellsworth from the base closure list was truly a group effort. I was proud to work with Senator Thune, Representative Herseth, Governor Rounds, and the Ellsworth Task Force to make the vote a reality. We left no stone unturned in our efforts to save Ellsworth.

Following our successful efforts during the BRAC process, the South Dakota Delegation again demonstrated the invaluable contribution Ellsworth Air Force Base makes to our national defense by recommending the base receive the Air Force Financial Services Center mission. The Financial Services Center will consist of approximately 775 employees who will perform customer service duties. These individuals will help our men and women in uniform by providing financial management services to military personnel.

Without question, Ellsworth is a world-class military installation. During the past decade, the base has received nearly $140 million in military construction projects in preparation. As a member of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee, I have helped to direct more than $75 million to Ellsworth, including funding for new buildings and military housing.

Additionally, I have helped secure increased funding for the B-1 bombers stationed at Ellsworth. As the backbone of our bomber fleet, the B-1 bombers stationed at Ellsworth have flown missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, B-1s were integral in liberating Iraq by dropping more than half the satellite guided munitions on critical targets, including command and control facilities, bunkers, and surface-to-air missile sites. Here are some of the projects that I have helped secure funding for:

Base Operations Center ($9.8 million)
The Base Operations Center consolidated various operations into one facility including wing safety, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), base operations, food service, weather data collection, and radar approach control (RAPCON).

B-1 Weapons System Trainer Facility ($9.3 million)
This facility houses a two-ship simulator for operations and training functions of two bomb squadrons.

Upgrading Family Housing ($71 million)
For the past 5 years, the housing facilities at the base have undergone a massive upgrade. Replacing base housing is essential to maintaining quality of life at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

77th Bomb Squadron Operations Facility ($6.5 million)
These funds helped construct a new headquarters for the 77th Bomb Squadron.

Education and Library Center ($10.2 million)
The Education and Library Center is designed for base personnel and their families.

Eliminating fraud and waste in government contracting is critically important. The American people are financing the bulk of our reconstruction efforts in Iraq, and we have a responsibility to ensure their money is spent on well-planned construction projects and not squandered due to corruption and inadequate oversight. Even more significant, every dollar spent wastefully in Iraq is a dollar that does not provide the equipment our soldiers so urgently require for their protection.

To learn more about my legislative efforts to combat contractor fraud click here. I have also contacted the Administration on a number of occasions regarding reports of fraud to request that government agencies investigate abuse and take all necessary steps to ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent wisely and properly documented.

Senator Johnson met with senior leaders of the South Dakota Air National Guard, including Colonel Steve Doohen, 114th Fighter Wing Commander, to discuss current and future military construction projects at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls.

Senator Johnson visited the South Dakota National Guard headquarters at Camp Rapid. Johnson received an update on the STARBASE and Counter Drug programs, which help the state educate youth and assist with reducing drugs within South Dakota.