(The Center Square) – Fort Bragg is on target for $287 million in appropriations through the National Defense Authorization Act, says U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C.
There’s $200 million for the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center at FRC East at MCAS Cherry Point ensures the Marine F-35s will be maintained for the next 50 years, says U.S. Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy, R-N.C. North Carolina’s strong footprint in military defense is eagerly awaiting the final totals hashed out by the conference committee for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House last week passed its measure 231-196, getting an 11-3 boost from North Carolina representatives.
Camp Lejeune, Murphy says, is also slated in the proposal for $90 million toward an operations facility.
At Fort Bragg in the proposal, $80 million is for power generation and a microgrid. There’s $44.7 million for training facilities at Forward Operating Base Freedom, known also as Freedom Village.
Other significant investments are $24 million for an aircraft maintenance hangar, $19 million for an automated infantry platoon battle course; $7.5 million for advance drone development; $6.5 million for Special Operations Forces Mission Command Center; and $5.3 million for Special Operations Forces Joint Intelligence Center.
House members favored a 3.8% pay raises for all troops. The bill also codifies 15 executive orders from second-term Republican President Donald Trump, led by his priorities on “lethality, merit-based promotion, and accountability in the ranks,” said Hudson in a release.
Also funded would be the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships and autonomous systems.
For the measure with Hudson and Murphy were Republican Reps. Tim Moore, Brad Knott, Chuck Edwards, Pat Harrigan, Rev. Mark Harris, David Rouzer, Addison McDowell and Virginia Foxx, and Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Against were Democratic Reps. Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams.
