Cannon benefits from spending bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — While it wasn’t included in any military construction projects, Cannon Air Force Base did reap some rewards as the Senate passed the annual defense spending bill in late July.

According to a release from Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., the legislation that passed the Senate 86-8 included construction projects at Kirtland and Holloman Air Force Bases and White Sands Missile Range.

"I am proud to have authorized funding for military construction projects that will modernize infrastructure at Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range, and Kirtland Air Force Base,” Heinrich said in a release. “This bill makes major investments to ensure our Armed Forces are equipped with the most modern technology so we can stay ahead of our adversaries. New Mexico is the Center of Excellence for small satellites and for directed energy weapons, and this bill increases funding and streamlines authorities to bolster those missions. This bill also makes major reforms to fix the military housing crisis and takes meaningful action on contamination at dairies outside Cannon Air Force Base."

Items that benefit Cannon include:

• Language in the act to specifically address Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination at Cannon Air Force Base.

• Language to work with the New Mexico Air National Guard to allocated at least one unit-equipped wing and flying squadron to each state, with Cannon to serve as a co-training facility.

• A 3.5% military pay increase.

• Extension of authorization of a facility for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) 26th Special Tactics Squadron at Cannon. The project was first authorized in 2015.

Military construction projects included:

• Holloman Air Force Base: An award of $20 million for the construction of a climate-controlled, storage and shipment facility at Holloman Air Force Base. The facility will be used to store, inspect, and prepare the movement of military support equipment and provide maximum protection of our expeditionary, warfighting resources. The facility is expected to save $850,000 annually by preserving the shelf-life of items that would otherwise be stored in the open and another $120,000 a year in shipping containers damaged by weather exposure.

Kirtland Air Force Base: A total of $37.9 million will go to two projects — $22.4 million for a UH-1 Replacement Facility and $15.5 million for a combat rescue helicopter simulator facility. The facility will have HH-60W simulators to be used by the 58th Special Operations Wing.

White Sands Missile Range: Secured was $5.8 million to build a micro-grid that will power water wells to provide an uninterrupted water supply. The current water supply is susceptible to power outages.