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News and Views |
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CONGRESS
APPROVES $65.6 MILLION IN UPGRADES
“The
training provided to our brave Marines at the Twentynine Palms base is some of
the most advanced in the world, and this funding will add another important
dimension to their skills,” said Lewis, who is Chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee. “Our operations in The
funding will help the Marine Corps speed up expansion of a current facility
known as Mojave Viper, a large “village” complex which has provided nearly
all of the Marines in the During a visit to Twentynine Palms by President Bush last spring, Lewis toured one of the two Mojave Viper villages at the Twentynine Palms base. The villages include a mosque and buildings that are designed to replicate real conditions in the nations where Marines are facing combat situations. Marines and actors in costume help those in training learn how to deal with insurgents mingling with law-abiding citizens. “It
is clear that these exercises in our The Marines have developed a plan to create a much-expanded urban facility that allows for the coordinated training of battalion-size forces. The Defense Appropriations bill includes $60.8 million to speed up development of this facility, potentially bringing it online in time to provide vital training for troops in current engagements, Lewis said. The Senate is expected to approve the final version of the bill and send it to the President this week. “The
Congress is committed to providing a world-class facility for our Marines, who
are defending our nation against terrorism and supporting freedom around the
world,” Lewis said. “Every training dollar that we invest here will save
Marines’ lives and help them deal with the complex assignments of helping
citizens in In addition to the Defense Appropriations funding, the House has already approved $19 million requested by Lewis for the urban warfare center as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 Military Quality of Life Appropriations bill. That bill has not yet been approved by the Senate. The Pentagon spending bill was approved on a 394-22 vote in the House and 100-0 in the Senate. President Bush has said he will sign it, and its provisions take effect on Oct. 1, the beginning of the federal fiscal year. Other
funding approved by Congress for the Twentynine Palms base in the Defense
spending bill includes: -
$3.2 million for development of new technology that
will allow for much more precise tracking of jet fighters and helicopters in the
mountainous terrain around Twentynine Palms. The technology has the potential to
vastly improve the control of the total airspace around a battlefield in this
type of terrain. -
$1.6 million to develop technology that can provide a
sophisticated aerial survey of training areas to detect unexploded ordinance.
This is an urgently-needed capability that will allow faster cleanup in military
training areas to improve the environment and safety. Click Here to Return to News & Views
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