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For Immediate Release
February 4, 2002
FUNDS FOR 4 SSGNs; PSNS, NAVAL STATION IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED IN FISCAL YEAR 2003 DEFENSE BUDGET REQUEST
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Bush’s Pentagon budget request for the next fiscal year includes more than $1 billion for converting all four of the retiring Ohio Class Tridents from ballistic missile submarines to cruise missile and special forces platforms (SSGNs), U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Monday.
Refueling and conversion work on two of the four Trident subs will be accomplished at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the congressman said.
In its initial defense budget request for the current fiscal year, the Bush Administration had requested only sufficient funding to convert two of the four Tridents, however Rep. Dicks convinced colleagues on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to provide an additional $324 million in order to plan for the conversion of all four. “With the plan for four conversions included in the budget submission today, it is clear that Navy is fully committed to the SSGN program,” Dicks said.
In addition, a total of $97.8 million is being requested for military construction activities at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Station Bremerton next year, Dicks said. Included are $35.1 million for construction of a Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (with a nearby parking structure) at the Naval Station Bremerton and another $8.5 million for waterfront improvements and security enhancements.
At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, $21.7 million will fund several security-related improvements, augmenting access control (gates, barriers, fencing, lighting, etc.) and constructing a garage for vehicles relocated for security reasons after the Sept. 11th attacks. The request also includes a new Waterfront Support Facility to be built at Drydocks 4 and 5 in the shipyard, requiring the demolition of several aging buildings to allow for increased efficiency. Finally, $11.3 million will be for the replacement of the wastewater pre-treatment facility at the shipyard.
The Administration’s defense budget request also seeks $103 million for construction work at Fort Lewis, where the Army’s transformation concept is being pioneered. A $24 million battle simulation center, a $29.8 million combined arms collective training facility and $50 million for construction of a new barracks building at Fort Lewis are planned in the next fiscal year.
Rep. Dicks said that a total of $228 million in military construction expenditures for Washington State military bases were included in the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2003, comparable to last year’s request of $234 million. A total of $251 million was ultimately appropriated after additional priority requests planned for future years were accelerated, said Rep. Dicks, who serves as a member of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee in the House.
Following is the complete listing of military construction expenditures for Washington State military bases in the next fiscal year:
FY 2003 Military Construction Budget Request
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NAVY |
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NAS Whidbey Island A/C Direct Refueling Facility |
$ 9,180,000 |
Indian Island Ammo Wharf Improvements |
$ 4,030,000 |
Naval Station Bremerton Waterfront Revitalization |
$ 8,550,000 |
Naval Station Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and Parking |
$ 35,120,000 |
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Industrial Waste Treatment Facility |
$ 11,390,000 |
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Waterfront Support Facility |
$ 21,072,000 |
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Anti-terrorism/Force Protection |
$ 21,670,000 |
Sub Base Bangor Relocation of Waterfront Shops |
$ 5,900,000 |
Sub Base Bangor Missiles Spares Storage Bldg |
$ 7,340,000 |
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ARMY |
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Fort Lewis Barracks Complex - 17th & B Street Phase 2 |
$50,000,000 |
Fort Lewis Battle Simulation Center |
$24,000,000 |
Fort Lewis Combined Arms Collective Training Facility |
$29,800,000 |
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TOTAL WASH. STATE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION |
$228,052,000 |
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