Cheyenne and Guernsey operations, projects included

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., are pleased a bill approved by the Senate provides significant funding for veterans and military construction.

“This bill steps up to the plate and delivers a home run for our military men and women. This funding helps provide the best training and base facilities our troops deserve while also funding the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Enzi said. “I look forward to moving as quickly as possible with the final negotiations in the conference report.”

“With the War on Terror, we must give our brave warriors the support and facilities they need. I urge the Senate and House to come to an agreement quickly so that our active military and veterans can make immediate use of the funds,” said Barrasso.

           

Wyoming specific projects funded in S. 1645 include:                           

• Army – Joint Forces Headquarters – Cheyenne – $32.5 million to move the Wyoming Military Department headquarters to F.E. Warren Air force Base 

• Air Force – Squadron Operations – Cheyenne – $3.2 million to include space for administration and training, intelligence, life support, survival equipment, command post, flight planning, aircrew briefing rooms and flight management for the new Active-Associate Wing with the Air Force and Wyoming Air National Guard  

• F.E. Warren Air Force Base – Renovate Historic Dormitories – Cheyenne – $14.6 million for renovation and preservation expenses 

• Army National Guard – Camp Guernsey Qualification Training Range – Guernsey – $2.65 million for a new multi-purpose machine gun training range

The Senate passed the fiscal year 2008 Military Construction Appropriations bill today by a vote of 92-1. The bill provides about $22 billion for active and reserve military construction components and about $90 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The House passed H.R. 2642, its version of S. 1645, by a vote of 409-2 on June 15. Both bills will now go to a conference committee where members of the House and Senate will work out the differences between the two versions.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriation bill provides funding for the planning, design, construction, alteration, and improvement of military facilities worldwide, both for Active and Reserve forces. It provides resources to the Department of Veterans Affairs for veteran’s benefits and care and other related  agencies.