Brown, Portman announce $1.1 billion authorized for Wright-Patt

Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman announced Thursday that the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress authorizes $12.6 million to consolidate the operations of two active Entry Control Points at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, according to a press release.

This consolidation would improve security and traffic flow at the base, the release said. The NDAA also authorizes $14.4 million for facilities upgrades, equipment installation, and other projects that increase energy efficiency and about $1.1 billion for Air Force Research and Development projects and programs run out of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patt, according to the release.

“Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is critical to our nation’s military and to southwest Ohio’s economy,” Brown said. “These provisions are an important step in ensuring that Wright-Patterson has the funding needed to upgrade its facility, enhance safety, and bolster the important research being done on base. We will continue working with our Senate colleagues to maintain our commitment to Wright-Patterson.”

Portman added: “I am pleased to support this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, which will ensure our military has the tools and resources it needs to keep America safe. In particular, this bill will provide additional resources to help protect and improve Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, ensuring that it remains a national leader in delivering world-class national security capabilities to our men and women in uniform.”