I am extremely grateful for every man and woman who accepts the awesome responsibility of serving in our Armed Forces and National Guard. I believe it is essential that we provide our nation's military with the most up-to-date equipment and resources necessary, including higher pay and better benefits, to support the ongoing transformation of America's Armed Forces and our fight in the War on Terrorism. I am committed to protecting our national security interests at home and abroad, and will continue to support efforts to strengthen and improve our national defense and intelligence capabilities. Sadly, we have learned through the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11 and the findings of the 9/11 Commission that we must remain vigilant in protecting Americans at home and abroad. Our intelligence community was not disseminating information and was not equipped with up-to-date resources to combat 21st century threats. For this reason, I have supported necessary intelligence reforms that will improve the ability of the federal government to prevent terrorist attacks like September 11 from occurring again. I take great pride in working to address our nation's national security objectives, and I will continue to work hard to ensure that our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are well-equipped and return safely.
*** BRAC Update ***
OFFICE OF SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
Week of September 5, 2005
Thursday, September 8 ~ Washington, D.C.
The BRAC Commission submitted its final report to the President. The President may approve the report and send it to Congress, reject the report, or return the report to the Commission once for revisions. The report will become law unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval within 45 days of receiving the BRAC report from the President.
Friday, September 9 ~ Washington, D.C.
Congress received the final report from the BRAC Commission. Below is a breakdown of how the major military installations in Pennsylvania fared in the BRAC Commission's final report to the President:
Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station:
The Commission recommended to "realign the Pittsburgh International Airport (IAP) Air Reserve Station (ARS), Pennsylvania. Establish a contiguous enclave at the Pittsburgh ARS, Pennsylvania sufficient to support continued operations of the reserve station units, including flight operations, and compatible with combined use of the civilian airport by the Air Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian users. Within that enclave, establish a Regional Joint Readiness Center (RJRC) at the Pittsburgh International Air Station with the mission of providing civil- military operations, homeland security and community-based medical support to the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security National Incident Management Plan and the National Response Plan. The enclave and RJRC will be staffed at the current manning level of the ARS. The PAA and personnel allocations of the Air National Guard units at Pittsburgh are unaffected by this recommendation."
The Commission' findings stated that "since the Commission retained C-130 Aircraft at Pittsburgh, the Commission urges that the Department of Defense take affirmative action to identify and permanently locate and operate an optimum number of C-130 aircraft as a detachment to the Pittsburgh IAP ARS enclave in order that it may support the mission of the Regional Joint Readiness Center as well as current Air Force Reserve Command missions."
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) Willow Grove:
The Commission recommended to "close Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, PA. Relocate all Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, their aircraft and necessary personnel, equipment and support to McGuire Air Force Base, Cookstown, NJ.
Distribute the 15 A-10 aircraft assigned to the 111th Fighter Wing (ANG), the 15 A-10 aircraft assigned to the 111th FW to meet the Primary Aircraft Authorizations (PAA) requirements established by the BRAC recommendations of the Secretary of Defense, as amended by the BRAC Commission.
If the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania decides to change the organization, composition, and location of the 111th FW to integrate the unit into the Future Total Force, all personnel allotted to the 111th FW, including the unit's ECS elements, will remain in place and assume a mission relevant to the security interests of the Commonwealth: including, but not limited to: C4ISR, Information Operations, flight training, UAVs.
The recommendation regarding the 111th FW does not effect a change to the authorized end strength of the PA Air National Guard.
Establish a contiguous enclave for the 111th FW and the 270th Engineering Installation Squadron sufficient to support operations of those units, including flight operations, and compatible joint use of the former Naval Air Station as a civilian airport.
In the Commission's findings, "The Commission therefore determined the majority of NASJRB Willow Grove could be closed, while also retaining an enclave for the 111th FW and the 913th Airlift Wing. The Commission encourages DoD to not retire service-capable A-10 aircraft. The Commission notes the quality and contributions of the 111th FW and encourages DoD to consider identifying A-10 aircraft to form an A-10 wing or detachment using the 111th FW of the ANG located at Willow Grove, PA."
Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD):
LEAD will receive the missile maintenance work from the Red River Army Depot.
LEAD will receive the tactical missile work from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, California.
LEAD will receive the maintenance of other equipment and tactical vehicle work from Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.
Tobyhanna Army Depot (TOAD):
TOAD will get the electronics/maintenance, night vision equipment from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, California.
TOAD will get the electronic components/fire control/radar-radio work from Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, California.
Friday, September 9 ~ Pittsburgh
Senator Santorum held a press conference to deliver the good news regarding the BRAC Commission's Final Report with regard to the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station. Senator Santorum announced the BRAC Commission's decision to retain the C-130 aircraft at Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, and its recommendation to establish an enclave and a Regional Joint Readiness Center at Pittsburgh IAP ARS. The action taken by the BRAC Commission follows actions by Senators Santorum urging the Commission to include language in its final report that would urge the Department of Defense to permanently locate and operate an optimum number of C-130 aircraft as a detachment to the Pittsburgh IAP ARS enclave.
*** BRAC Update ***
OFFICE OF SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
Weeks of August 22, 2005 and August 29, 2005
Wednesday, August 24 ~ Washington, D.C.
Staff from Senator Santorum's office followed the BRAC Commission's final deliberations on the Army and Navy recommendations.
Thursday, August 25 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Staff from Senator Santorum's office attended the BRAC Commission's final deliberations on Navy and Joint Cross Service Group recommendations.
Thursday, August 25 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Senator Santorum spoke via telephone with BRAC Commissioners Coyle, Hansen, Skinner, and Chairman Anthony Principi regarding the value of Pennsylvania's military installations.
Friday, August 27 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Staff from Senator Santorum's office attended the BRAC Commission's final deliberations on Air Force and Air National Guard recommendations.
Friday, August 27 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Senator Santorum spoke via telephone with BRAC Commissioner Turner regarding the value of Pennsylvania's military installations.
Friday, August 27 ~ Philadelphia
The Honorable John R. Padova, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, issued a 54 page Opinion and Order in the case of Rendell, et al. v. Rumsfeld, Civil Action No. 05-CV-3563. In his Order, Judge Padova dismissed Defendant's (DoD's) Motion to Dismiss the action and granted the Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment. Judge Padova's Order further provides: Secretary Rumsfeld, by designating the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard without first obtaining the approval of Governor Rendell, has violated 32 U.S.C. s 104(c). The portion of the BRAC DoD Report that recommends deactivation of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard is null and void.
Friday, August 27 ~ Washington, DC
RJS spoke with stakeholders from Western and Eastern Pennsylvania on the votes taken by the BRAC Commission with regard to Pennsylvania installations.
Saturday, August 27 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Staff from Senator Santorum's office submitted draft report language to BRAC Commission staff. This draft report language is intended to accompany the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommendations concerning Air Force Recommendation 35 (Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania). Below is the draft report language that Senator Santorum's staff submitted to BRAC Commission staff:
"The Commission recommends that DoD take affirmative action to permanently locate and operate an optimum number of C-130H (or equivalent) aircraft as a detachment to the Pittsburgh ARS enclave to support the mission of the Joint Readiness Center as well as current AFRC missions.
"By establishment of this detachment, significant resources for recruitment and training of aircrews and maintenance personnel will be saved."
Sunday, August 28 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum spoke via telephone with Governor Ed Rendell regarding future strategy with regard to the military installations in Pennsylvania affected by the BRAC Commission's final deliberations. During the phone call, Senator Santorum and Governor Rendell spoke about future missions at the Pittsburgh ARS, and the current and future mission of the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
Monday, August 29 ~ Willow Grove
Senator Santorum participated in a press conference with Governor Rendell, Senator Specter, and Representative Schwartz regarding the BRAC Commission's vote to close NASJRB Willow Grove, and the current and future mission of the 111th Fighter Wing.
Monday, August 29 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum sent a letter, along with Senator Specter, to Chairman of the BRAC Commission, Anthony Principi, encouraging the BRAC Commission to include specific language in the report with regard to the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station (ARS). Specifically, the letter asked for report language that would recommend that DoD take action to allocate aircraft to the 911th Airlift Wing to support the Regional Joint Readiness Center and to ensure the unit has the ability to recruit and train effectively.
Tuesday, August 30 ~ Pennsylvania
Senator Santorum participated in a conference call with Governor Rendell, Representative Tim Murphy, Allegheny County Commissioner Dan Onorato, members of the Western Pennsylvania BRAC Task Force (BTF), and representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Future plans for the Regional Joint Readiness Center, recommended for establishment by the BRAC Commission, were discussed during this conference call.
Tuesday, August 30 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum, along with Senator Specter, sent a letter to Chairman Anthony Principi requesting that the BRAC Commission include language in their report directing the Secretary to use all available A-10 aircraft and provide A-10 aircraft to the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Below is the draft report language that Senator Santorum and Senator Specter submitted to BRAC Commission:
"The Commission recommends that the Department of Defense not retire service-capable A-10 aircraft and that DoD take action to provide A-10 aircraft to form a fifth A-10 wing using the 111th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard located at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania."
Wednesday, August 31 ~ Pittsburgh
Senator Santorum held a press conference in Pittsburgh to announce that the BRAC Commission has agreed to include specific language in its report with regard to the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Stations (ARS). The language, which will be included in the final report, supports the allocation by the Department of Defense to locate aircraft to the 911th Airlift Wing to support the Regional Joint Readiness Center (RJRC), which was voted on last week by the BRAC Commission.
***DATES TO REMEMBER***
Thursday, September 8 ~ Washington, D.C.
The BRAC Commission will furnish the report of its findings and its own suggestions to the President and to the American public.
*** BRAC Update ***
OFFICE OF SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
Week of July 25, 2005
Friday, July 29, 2005 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum placed a call to Anthony Principi, Chairman of the BRAC Commission, to reiterate his support for Pennsylvania's military installations during the BRAC review process. During the phone call, Senator Santorum noted land constraints are not an issue at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, and pointed out several erroneous assumptions and a lack of analysis in DoD's assessment of the jointness of NASJRB Willow Grove.
Friday, July 29, 2005 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum sent correspondence to Brigadier General John Kelly, Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, United States Marine Corps, requesting specific information on three Marine Corps units in North Versailles, Pennsylvania -- Detachment 5, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th FSSG; Military Police Company B, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th FSSG; and Surgical Company A (-), 4th Medical Battalion, 4th FSSG.
***DATES TO REMEMBER***
Friday, August 5, 2005 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
The BRAC Commission has set August 5, 2005 as the date to conclude all meetings with community groups and all site visits for installations on the list submitted to the BRAC Commission by DoD. The BRAC Commission will continue to accept and consider written input, both through letters and attachments mailed to the BRAC Commission, and comments submitted through the website.
*** BRAC Update ***
OFFICE OF SENATOR RICK SANTORUM
Week of July 18, 2005
Monday, July 18 ~ Washington, D.C.
Staff from Senator Santorum's office attended the BRAC Commission's Informational Hearing on Capitol Hill. The hearing consisted of testimony from the Department of Defense regarding certain installations not included in the Department's recommendations of May 13, 2005, testimony from the Comptroller General regarding GAO's analysis of DoD's 2005 selection process and recommendation for base closures and realignments, and testimony from the Overseas Basing Commission regarding its Report to the President and Members of Congress.
Monday, July 18 ~ Pittsburgh Staff from Senator Santorum’s office participated in the weekly meeting of the BRAC Task Force of Western Pennsylvania. This task force meets each week to discuss the coordination of the local response to the BRAC Commission’s consideration of the closure and realignment of local military facilities. This meeting included reports from the 911th Airlift Wing, the 99th Regional Readiness Command (RRC), and the Charles E. Kelly Support Facility.
Tuesday, July 19 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Senator Santorum’s office facilitated a meeting with the Franklin County Opportunity '05 Team in support of Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD) and staff of the BRAC Commission. At the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the BRAC Commission in Crystal City, Virginia, members of the Franklin County Opportunity '05 Team made their case to BRAC Commission staff as to why the BRAC Commission should adopt the Department of Defense's recommendation to close the Red River Army Depot. The Letterkenny Army Depot stands to gain 409 positions if Red River Army Depot is closed. Staff Congressman Shuster's office also attended the meeting.
Tuesday, July 19 ~ Washington, D.C.
Staff from Senator Santorum's office attended the BRAC Commission's Consideration of Closure and Realignment Additions Hearing on Capitol Hill. The hearing consisted of deliberations and votes on whether to consider certain base realignment and closure actions that were not included among the actions recommended by the Secretary of Defense on May 13, 2005. At this hearing, 7 of the 9 BRAC commissioners voted to add Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina to the list for consideration for closure or an increase to the extent of realignment.
Thursday, July 21 ~ Washington, D.C.
Senator Santorum joined Senator Shelby (R-AL), Senator Sessions (R-AL), Senator Chambliss (R-GA), Senator Isakson (R-GA), and Senator Specter (R-PA) in writing to BRAC Commission Chairman Anthony Principi reiterating the importance of reducing excess depot maintenance capacity in order to provide optimal utilization of the remaining capacity. The letter strongly encourages the BRAC Commission's adoption of DoD's recommendation to close the Red River Army Depot so that both the Letterkenny Army Depot and the Tobyhanna Army Depot gain from this BRAC round.
Friday, July 22 ~ Crystal City, Virginia
Senator Santorum's office facilitated a meeting with the BRAC Task Force of Western Pennsylvania and staff of the BRAC Commission. At the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the BRAC Commission in Crystal City, Virginia, members of the Western Pennsylvania BRAC Task Force made their case to BRAC Commission staff as to why the 911th Airlift Wing should remain open. Staff from Senators Santorum and Specter, as well as Congressman Murphy's office also attended the meeting.
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Staff from Senator Santorum’s office participated in the weekly meeting of the BRAC Task Force of Western Pennsylvania. This task force meets each week to discuss the coordination of the local response to the BRAC Commission’s consideration of the closure and realignment of local military facilities. This meeting included reports from the 911