U.S. Representative Austin Scott (R-GA-08) said this week that the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will benefit the two military bases in his district.
Scott told his constituents in an emailed newsletter that the bill benefits Robins Air Force Base (AFB) and Moody Air Force Base (AFB).
“While this certainly isn’t a perfect bill, I believe we were able to accomplish many goals in this year’s NDAA that are important to Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District, the state of Georgia, and the nation,” Scott said.
The E–8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) is based at Robins AFB in Warner Robins. JSTARS is a joint Air Force and Army program that Scott said provides critical airborne surveillance, intelligence, and command and control to our military through on-board radar and computer subsystems equipment. The system gathers and distributes detailed battlefield information. Combatant commanders utilize the JSTARS fleet around the world.
“The FY22 NDAA includes a request I offered to provide an increase of $27 million above the President’s budget request for much-needed communication modernization upgrades to the JSTARS aircraft to ensure the system can continue to support Combatant Commanders’ needs,” Scott said.
“This bill also provides funding to support the future missions to be hosted at Robins. It authorizes $179 million for continued research and development of the Air Force Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). ABMS will be a next-generation system-of-systems integrating battlefield surveillance information and providing commanders better situational awareness in combat.”
Scott said that Robins AFB will receive $125 million of investment funding for Robins’ future squadron of E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft. The BACN aircraft, the congressman said, will execute a mission enabling communications support to the joint force on the modern battlefield.
As for Moody AFB, the FY22 NDAA continues funding to procure new HH-60W, Jolly Green II.
“The HH-60W fleet will be used by the 41st Rescue Squadron to conduct critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations. I had the chance to visit Moody to see these new helicopters and the assets they will provide to our Airmen at Moody and search and rescue operations,” Scott said.
“The Air Force’s biggest A-10C fighter group is based at Moody, and the legislation funds Moody’s A-10 operations and mission. The A-10 provides Close Air Support and Combat Search-And-Rescue capability unmatched by any other aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. No other fixed-wing airframes are as proficient as the A-10 in operating in rugged environments, low visibility, and very low altitudes. The A-10C has been instrumental in the fight against ISIS, and its armored capabilities and armament have aided in its critical deployments around the world.”
Additionally, the bill includes $6 million in military construction funding for Military Housing Privatization Initiative Restructuring at Robins. The bill also makes other military construction investments at Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, including funding for a Cyber Instructional Facility at Fort Gordon and a Special Operations Battalion Headquarters at Fort Benning, Scott said.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
