FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 7, 2005

Chambliss, Isakson: Defense Funding Bill Benefits Georgia

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss- R-Ga.., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Senate passed fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill saying that the bill strengthens our national security, addresses important quality of life issues for our troops and includes funds for weapons systems made in Georgia.

“Georgia plays a major role in the national security of the United States,” said Chambliss, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Not only do our military installations contribute to our strong national defense, but we also play a key role building the best weapon systems that help our men and women in the armed forces fight and win wars. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am pleased to help secure these important funds for our troops and for important weapons systems built in Georgia that our military needs.”

“Georgia’s military bases and defense systems manufacturers are critical to our national security and have played a key role in the war in Iraq, and I am very pleased to see such a strong commitment to them from Washington,” Isakson said.

Highlights of Georgia related items included in the bill:

• $3.2 billion for 24 F/A-22 Raptors built by Lockheed Martin in Marietta
• $1 billion for 13 C-130J’s manufactured by Lockheed-Martin in Marietta
• $2.8 billion for 15 C-17 transport planes partially manufactured in Macon
• $86 million for the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program
• $30 million for Air National Guard Block 42 F-16 Engine Upgrades manufactured by United Technologies
• $15 million for C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining program performed by Lockheed Martin
• $45 million for a C-37 aircraft for the Air Force to be built by Gulfstream in Savannah
• $3 million for the "ULTRA" armored patrol vehicle developed by Georgia Tech
• $10 million for Facility Needs at the National Guard Training Center at Ft. Stewart
• $5 million for the C-5/C-17Aging Aircraft / Logistics Management Program, executed by Intergraph Inc. in Warner-Robins
• $10 million to initiate a re-engining program for Joint Stars aircraft stationed Robins Air Force Base
• $3 million for the National Nanotechnology Manufacturing Center in Swainsboro
• $2 million for the "GeoFence" Pipeline Monitoring and Safety Project developed by Crane Valve Services in Kennesaw
• $2.5 million for the C-130 Automated Inspection, Repair, Corrosion, & Aircraft Tracking Program performed by MERC in Warner-Robins
• $4 million for the Combat Arms Training Systems developed by Firearms Training System (FATS), Inc. in Suwanee
• $5 million for the Technology Enhancement for Area Protection Radar program at Georgia Tech
• $3 million for Lithium Ion Batteries for Multiple Navy Aircraft developed by SAFT Inc. in Valdosta
• $15 million for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program
• $3 million for Aircraft Carrier (CVN) Aircraft Elevator Modifications developed by Rockwell Automation
• $35 million for DoD Supplemental Impact Aid
• $7 million for the Procurement Technical Assistance Program which will benefit the Georgia Procurement Assistance Center.

The bill also provides key funds for U.S. operations related to the Global War on Terror; $570.5 million for recruiting and retention support for the Active, National Guard and Reserve components; funds a 3.1 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel, and funds an increase in Basic Allowance for Housing to maintain last year’s initiative to eliminate out-of-pocket housing expenses for military personnel.

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