“The Department of Justice clearly has seen the value of Lakehurst as a secure place from which important homeland security missions can be supported.  I am particularly pleased that funds I secured to better protect Americans from terrorism and criminals will be spent right here in Ocean County,” Smith stated.

During the 108^th Congress Rep. Smith worked with his friend and colleague, Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf, to obtain $13 million in additional Congressional funding for the Department of Justice’s Aviation programs in the Fiscal Year 2003 appropriations bill.  The additional funds were used to modernize the DoJ’s aviation assets that are deployed during counter-terrorism, crime fighting, and counter-intelligence operations.  Included in Rep. Smith’s successful modernization request were sufficient funds to build a new aviation hangar for use by the Department of Justice at Navy Lakehurst.  The balance of the funds will be used to purchase, repair, or upgrade the DoJ fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

“The Lakehurst-McGuire-Fort Dix Joint base complex is a central and strategically located facility that is a perfect staging ground for supporting homeland security missions of all varieties.  Dense population centers, critical infrastructure sites, and known terrorist and criminal cells are located within minutes of an aircraft taking off from Lakehurst or McGuire AFB, making the DoJ investment in our community a sensible and important recognition of this geographic reality.  I am working with my colleagues to make sure other homeland security agencies reach similar conclusions.” Smith noted.

A total of $6.8 million of the Fiscal Year 2003 funds have finally been authorized to construct and operate a 28,000 square foot aircraft hangar in the eastern portion of the base.  The hangar will include approximately 7,000 square feet of administrative offices, 21,000 square feet of protected space to house small aircraft, site perimeter fencing, access road, storm water basin and utility line extensions.  Construction is expected to begin sometime in early 2005.

“With this DoJ project, Lakehurst will be the beneficiary of over $56.3 million in cumulative federal investments I have helped steer into the base since the last round of Base Closure,” said Smith.