Press Release
January 6, 2014
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tammy Sharp
[email protected]
337-378-9329

Fort Polk Progress Commends Vitter's Efforts on Behalf of Fort Polk, Louisiana

LEESVILLE, La.-Fort Polk Progress commends Senator David Vitter (R-La.) for successfully inserting key provisions for Louisiana in the Defense Department's funding bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015. The legislation will now go to the President's desk.

 

In May Vitter helped pass the bill with his provisions out of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.

 

"Working to keep forces from the Brigade Combat Team stationed at Fort Polk, LA as well as the future of B-52s and the Global Strike Command, have been among my top priorities on the Armed Services Committee," Vitter said in a released statement. "Our nation is still at war, and a strong national defense is absolutely vital. Louisiana plays a huge role in the equation and my legislation will help preserve Louisiana's viability for national security."

 

"Senator Vitter fought hard for these key provisions on our behalf," said Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese. "Senator Vitter gets how important it is to keep our military strong, and he gets that Louisiana is the most cost effective place in the nation to accomplish that mission. Whether we're talking about our neighbors to the north at Barksdale Air Force Base or we're talking about Fort Polk or any military base anywhere in the state, Senator Vitter's commitment to our military communities is steadfast."   Because of continued DOD budget reductions, we will have to be successful in showcasing to the Army that Ft Polk offers the highest military value, and we are thankful that Sen Vitter continues to make this a top priority".

 

Below is a summary of the 15 provisions Vitter was able to secure in the FY15 NDAA:

 

Fort Polk

 

�         Vitter successfully included three provisions to address and correct Army Force Structure and end-strength decisions.

 

�         Ensures that the Army force structure and stationing decisions maximize existing resources, including facilities related to Brigade Combat Team (BCT) activities, before any decisions on reductions are made.

 

�         Protects the Army's total troop levels against the Administrations' attempts to reduce it at a faster pace than what military leaders have testified is best for our national security.

 

�         Ensures a thorough review of military health system modernization to keep Fort Polk's Bayne Jones Hospital.

 

Barksdale

 

�         Expresses Congress' commitment to the U.S. Nuclear Triad and affirms that the Triad is the greatest mission. Congress' support for this shows its long term commitment to Barksdale Air Force Base which, home to U.S. Global Strike Command, is responsible for the majority of that Triad.

 

�         Reconstitutes a Weapons Storage Area to enhance the resiliency of the bomber force, provide redundancy in a critical national security mission, reduce operational risk, and improve Barksdale's long-term standing.

 

�         Enables Shreveport and the surrounding community to improve its coordination with the Department of Defense on Cyber studies and analysis.

 

�         Restores fiscal year 2015 funding for the DOD STARBASE educational program that focuses on elementary students to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program encourages low income students, low academic performing students, and students with disabilities to set goals and achieve them through a curriculum that meets or exceeds the national standards.

 

Camp Minden

 

�      Ensures Army cannot back out of the Camp Minden explosives clean up agreement.

 

Lake Charles

 

�       Maintains over 300 jobs in the Lake Charles area through the Air Force, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) JSTARS platform requirements. These missions that support ground and naval forces are critical for battle management command and control. JSTARS aircraft are remanufactured at Northrop Grumman in Lake Charles.

 

National Guard

 

�      Vitter's provision ensures that funding for the National Guard and Army are not disproportionately cut. By building on Vitter's language, the final version of the committee's bill includes a commonsense approach that gives the Army the flexibility it needs. It also establishes a National Commission on the Future of the Army to assess the Army's active and reserve components size and force mix and requires the Commission to release its findings and recommendations byFebruary 1, 2016.

 

Additional Provisions Included by Vitter

 

�         Allows for Floating Dry Docks. Vitter modified language to include for a coastwise waiver for defense shipbuilding and repair projects. This modification ensures the adequate protection of maritime and shipbuilding industries that are significant contributors to the economy of Louisiana and the national security of this country. These industries employ literally thousands of hard-working citizens across Louisiana.

 

�         Religious Freedom: Vitter included language that promotes and expresses the committee's strong and continuing support of military chaplains and their mission.

 

�         DOD Film Reimbursements: He also included a provision that reforms and streamlines the relationship between Louisiana's film industry and local Bases' by directly reimbursing Bases for expenses incurred for providing assistance to entertainment-oriented media.

 

�         Requires a Secretary of Defense Report on Classified Information and Congressional Oversight.

 

�         Vitter was also successful in removing a controversial provision which would have granted Illegal Immigrant Enlistment, known as the ENLIST Act, into this year's NDAA.

 

"We appreciate very much that Senator Vitter is intent on maximizing the Army's resources and that he understands that Fort Polk is an incredibly valuable resource to our nation's military," said Leesville Mayor and Fort Polk Progress board member Rick Allen.

 

"Our soldiers are one of our nation's greatest resources, and we need to do what we can to make sure they have what they need, and that includes the best training possible as well as a solid force to back them up. We're grateful for Senator Vitter's push to keep the Army's total troop levels at a point that does not threaten our national security," said Vernon Parish Police Jury President and Fort Polk Progress board member Jim Tuck.

 

"At a time when our country faces threats from around the world, it's a good feeling to know that Sen. Vitter is standing in the gap and supporting the effort at Fort Polk to continue to provide training necessary to protect our troops while they're protecting us," said Hornbeck Mayor and Fort Polk Progress board member Clarence Beebe.


"Our armed forces stationed here in Louisiana play a major role in the defense of our nation," said Fort Polk Progress board member Leroy Cooley. "We're very fortunate to have the experience and vision of Senator Vitter, especially as it relates to the force structure and economy necessary to support our national security."

 

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Fort Polk Progress is a regional community organization that takes a proactive stance toward Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) by maintaining relationships and partnering with decision makers in Congress, at the Pentagon and at the state level, ensuring that the most up to date information concerning Fort Polk and the surrounding communities is used in decisions concerning the base. In addition, Fort Polk Progress actively markets the base to the military as the most cost effective place to provide soldiers with the best training possible and strives to help ensure the best possible quality of life for soldiers, civilians and their families. Most recently, Fort Polk Progress has spear-headed an Education Initiative, which acknowledges exceptional educational achievements in the region and pursues continued excellence in education for military families throughout the region. 

 

For more information about Fort Polk Progress visit us on the web, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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