“The funds secured today will provide job security and economic opportunities to hard working Arkansans who do so much to build the equipment that protects our war fighters.  I am pleased to have been able to help secure necessary funding for the enhancement of military operations at a time when defense technology is critical to the security of our nation and keeping our men and women in uniform safe,” said Ross. 

The following projects were included in the FY 2007 House Department of Defense Appropriations Bill and will affect the Pine Bluff Arsenal:

• $54.4 million – M18 Smoke Grenade.

This is an increase of $2 million from the President’s Budget.  The M18 Grenade is a small cylindrical hand-held grenade of the approximate size of a soup can. It emits a dense colored smoke (red, violet, yellow or green) and is used by all military services for signaling, marking, or screening operations. 

• $76.7 million – M40A1/M42 Chemical Biological Protective Mask.

The M40A1 and M42 provide respiratory, eye, and face protection against chemical and biological agents.

• $16.8 million – M17 Lightweight Decontamination System.

The M17 is a portable, lightweight, compact, engine-driven pump and multi-fuel-fired water heater system.  The system is capable of performing the hasty decontamination procedures for chemical agent contaminated surfaces. 

• $126.585 million - 155mm Artillery.

This funding, $2 million more than was offered in the President's Budget, will  provide for all 155mm artillery including 155mm Illuminating M485 which produced at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and is widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff is the only military installation in the country that produces this final product.

• $62.918 million - 120mm Artillery.

This funding will provide for all 120mm artillery including 120mm Infrared Illuminating M983 which is produced at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and is widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

• $14.355 million – 60mm Artillery.

This funding will provide for all 60mm artillery including 60mm Infrared Illuminating M767 which is produced at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and is widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon the Senate’s passage of the Department of Defense Appropriations bill, both the House and Senate bills will then go to a Conference Committee to negotiate the differences between the two pieces of legislation.  Once the final Conference Committee bill is passed, the President must sign the bill before it becomes law.