FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2003

SCHUMER, CLINTON SECURE OVER $1.5 MILLION FOR ARMY SUPPORT FACILITY AT ROCHESTER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE

Senators announce that Energy and Water Conference Gives Final Approval

US Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that they have helped secure $1.549 million in new money for the Army Aviation Support Facility at the Rochester Air National Guard Base. The joint House-Senate Military Construction appropriations committee came to agreement today on a spending bill that will deliver the funds to Rochester.

"I'm happy to help deliver this money because it's not only a good investment for Rochester, but for the entire country," Schumer said. "Building this facility will increase New York's ability to contribute to the readiness of our armed forces and protect our country. I'm proud of the New Yorkers who serve our nation so courageously and this facility will allow them to do this to the best of their ability."

"At this critical time in our nation's history it is more important than ever to show our support for our men and women in uniform. I am pleased that Congress has approved this funding for the Rochester Air National Guard base today. This represents a significant investment in the facility and a strong show of support for the Rochester area," Senator Clinton said.

The senators said that the funds will be used to expand an existing Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) to accommodate the assignment of seven CH-47 and six UH-60 helicopters. The addition to the AASF will be of permanent type construction to serve the peace time missions of the assigned units. The space will permit all personnel to perform the necessary tasks that will improve the units’ readiness posture. The existing AASF in Rochester is undersigned for the stationing of seven CH-47 and six UH-60 helicopters.

The existing facility can only house six UH-60's, rather the seven CH-47's scheduled for fielding. The existing facilities do not provide any unheated aircraft storage facilities that are required to house these expensive state-of-the-art attack helicopters. The existing maintenance and crew support areas are not sized for the needs of AH-64's. Without this project the units' readiness will be adversely affected because they will not be able to properly maintain the seven CH-47 and six UH-60 helicopters assigned. This will negatively impact on the overall readiness of the units supported by the AASF, and could ultimately impact the Army if the aircraft are not mission capable as the unit would become a non-mobilization asset. Therefore, this AASF expansion is critical to readiness.

This project will consist of a 40,588 SF AASF addition to ensure that the supporting facility adequately provides the units housed in this facility with hangar, administrative, supply, classroom, locker, latrine, unheated aircraft storage building(s), and maintenance space.

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