thedrifter
02-21-07, 01:24 PM
Blast-proof vehicles top Corps wish list
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 21, 2007 13:40:08 EST
The Marine Corps says it has almost $3.2 billion in program needs that the 2008 defense budget ignores, according to congressional documents.
Commandant Gen. James Conway sent the Corps’ detailed unfunded programs list to the hill Feb. 9, including a $2.8 billion request to rapidly push out 2,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to troops. The vehicles, which have V-shaped hulls to deflect blasts from roadside bombs, are intended to replace all of the Corps’ Humvees in Iraq, Marine officials have said.
The list also includes $9 million to increase funding for CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter maintenance and readiness, $4.5 million to improve altitude indicator reliability in CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, $10 million for issuing personal protective gear, $2.7 million for the acceleration of next-generation radar-absorbing camouflage netting, and $4.8 million to update air conditioning for 300 housing units at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
The Pentagon earlier this month sent Congress its $481.4 billion budget request for fiscal 2008, including a $139.8 billion request for the Navy and Marine Corps.
“It appears most of the heavy lifting was handled pursuant to the $20 billion we added to last year’s defense authorization bill to pay for immediate readiness and reset needs,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Nonetheless, as we write this year’s defense bill, we should pay close attention to the individual needs of each military service, especially as it pertains to supporting the war fighters in theater.”
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 21, 2007 13:40:08 EST
The Marine Corps says it has almost $3.2 billion in program needs that the 2008 defense budget ignores, according to congressional documents.
Commandant Gen. James Conway sent the Corps’ detailed unfunded programs list to the hill Feb. 9, including a $2.8 billion request to rapidly push out 2,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to troops. The vehicles, which have V-shaped hulls to deflect blasts from roadside bombs, are intended to replace all of the Corps’ Humvees in Iraq, Marine officials have said.
The list also includes $9 million to increase funding for CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter maintenance and readiness, $4.5 million to improve altitude indicator reliability in CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, $10 million for issuing personal protective gear, $2.7 million for the acceleration of next-generation radar-absorbing camouflage netting, and $4.8 million to update air conditioning for 300 housing units at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
The Pentagon earlier this month sent Congress its $481.4 billion budget request for fiscal 2008, including a $139.8 billion request for the Navy and Marine Corps.
“It appears most of the heavy lifting was handled pursuant to the $20 billion we added to last year’s defense authorization bill to pay for immediate readiness and reset needs,” said Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Nonetheless, as we write this year’s defense bill, we should pay close attention to the individual needs of each military service, especially as it pertains to supporting the war fighters in theater.”