Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Friday, May 8, 2009

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Applauds Obama Plan for More Than $120 Million in Upgrades at New Mexico Military Installations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said New Mexico’s military bases would receive about $129 million in upgrades under President Obama’s budget.

The White House in February unveiled the broad outlines of its first budget proposal, but details were not released until this week. The Obama military construction budget is as follows:

Cannon Air Force Base

$15 million -- Consolidated Communications Facility to support wing operations
$11.6 million -- Modifying Hangers to support incoming CV-22
$41.3 million -- Fuel systems maintenance facility to support C-130 aircraft  

Holloman Air Force Base

$5.5 million for F-22A Consolidated Munitions facility to handle weapons for the F-22A fighter

Kirtland Air Force Base

$16.7 million for two simulator facilities for C-130J aircraft

The budget proposal also calls for $39 million to build a facility at the Army National Guard in Santa Fe to support air operations. 

“The president’s budget would ensure that New Mexico’s military installations remain in top shape,” Bingaman said.  “Ultimately Congress writes the spending bill that funds our bases, but it is extremely helpful to have the support of the White House.”

The White House has already demonstrated support for New Mexico’s bases.  Last month, the Obama administration announced our bases would receive $90 million from the economic recovery act.  That funding is being distributed as follows:

• Kirtland Air Force Base: $28.76 million for 59 projects. 
• Cannon Air Force Base: $26.4 million: $12 million for construction of a Child Development Center and $14.4 million for 16 other projects.
• Holloman Air Force Base: $21.05 million for eight projects.
• White Sands Missile Range: $11.25 million for 14 projects.