thedrifter
06-08-07, 06:51 AM
Housing, other upgrades due at Camp Pendleton
By: MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
NORTH COUNTY ---- The bulk of nearly $300 million budgeted for Camp Pendleton in the federal fiscal year beginning in October will be spent on housing, establishment of a Wounded Warriors Battalion and general base upgrades.
"There's always room for improvement on the housing front," Maj. Ricardo Player, a base spokesman said Thursday.
The money is included in the House and Senate versions of a 2006 Defense Authorization bill that is awaiting final passage.
Marine Corps officials this week provided the following breakdown on how the majority of the money will be spent:
- Bachelor enlisted quarters: $29.1 million
- Wounded Warrior Battalion bachelor enlisted quarters: $25.9 million
- Margarita area bachelor enlisted quarters: $26.5 million
- Headquarters facility for bachelor enlisted quarters: $32 million
- Force Intelligence Operations Center: $25 million
- Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Camp: $18 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group headquarters: $18.2 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group Operations Center: $22.2 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group Armory: $8.2 million
- Communications and electronics shop: $16.8 million
- Infantry defense range: $18.1 million
- Physical fitness center: $8.5 million
- Traffic improvements: $5.8 million
- Hangar additions at base air station: $4.4 million
- Other air station upgrades: $6.1 million
The full House approved the allocation last month and the Senate Armed Services committee has adopted its version of the spending bill.
Full consideration of the Senate version is expected soon and any differences will be ironed out in a conference before both chambers vote on final passage.
Other key provisions in the legislation call for a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for all service members, and an increase of the size of the active-duty Marine Corps from 180,000 to 189,000.
The legislation also would allow the Marine Corps to increase by as many as 13,000 additional troops by the end of 2010.
The House bill also calls for elevating the profile of the Marine Corps by changing the Department of the Navy's name to the Department of Navy and the Marine Corps.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie
By: MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
NORTH COUNTY ---- The bulk of nearly $300 million budgeted for Camp Pendleton in the federal fiscal year beginning in October will be spent on housing, establishment of a Wounded Warriors Battalion and general base upgrades.
"There's always room for improvement on the housing front," Maj. Ricardo Player, a base spokesman said Thursday.
The money is included in the House and Senate versions of a 2006 Defense Authorization bill that is awaiting final passage.
Marine Corps officials this week provided the following breakdown on how the majority of the money will be spent:
- Bachelor enlisted quarters: $29.1 million
- Wounded Warrior Battalion bachelor enlisted quarters: $25.9 million
- Margarita area bachelor enlisted quarters: $26.5 million
- Headquarters facility for bachelor enlisted quarters: $32 million
- Force Intelligence Operations Center: $25 million
- Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Camp: $18 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group headquarters: $18.2 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group Operations Center: $22.2 million
- 1st Marine Logistics Group Armory: $8.2 million
- Communications and electronics shop: $16.8 million
- Infantry defense range: $18.1 million
- Physical fitness center: $8.5 million
- Traffic improvements: $5.8 million
- Hangar additions at base air station: $4.4 million
- Other air station upgrades: $6.1 million
The full House approved the allocation last month and the Senate Armed Services committee has adopted its version of the spending bill.
Full consideration of the Senate version is expected soon and any differences will be ironed out in a conference before both chambers vote on final passage.
Other key provisions in the legislation call for a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for all service members, and an increase of the size of the active-duty Marine Corps from 180,000 to 189,000.
The legislation also would allow the Marine Corps to increase by as many as 13,000 additional troops by the end of 2010.
The House bill also calls for elevating the profile of the Marine Corps by changing the Department of the Navy's name to the Department of Navy and the Marine Corps.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie