Dayton Reporter

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) has announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, which includes authorization for a new facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The legislation, which now awaits the President's signature, includes $19.5 million for the planning and design of phase 5 of the Acquisition Management Complex at the base.

In a statement, Congressman Turner highlighted the significance of this funding for Southwest Ohio's role in the national security mission. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the armed services' capabilities outpace threats from the Middle East, Russia, China, and Iran to maintain deterrence and international order.

The new facility, known as the Acquisition Management Complex Phase V, is a modern and secure facility that will consolidate multiple Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) directorates and organizations. It will streamline their efficiency and provide the necessary administrative and secure usable space to meet projected acquisition goals for weapons systems. The project is estimated to cost $198 million.

In addition to the authorization for the new facility, the FY 2024 NDAA includes several other highlights that benefit military service members and their families. These include a 5.2 percent increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over two decades. The legislation also expands reimbursements for military spouses' relicensing or business costs when servicemembers transfer locations. It extends recruitment and retention bonuses and special pay authorities and ensures reimbursement for all housing costs during military training for members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The NDAA also addresses healthcare concerns by strengthening oversight of the TRICARE pharmacy program and waiving fees and copays on the TRICARE Dental Program for all members of the Selected Reserve. It prohibits cuts in reimbursement rates for providers of applied behavior analysis for the treatment of autism and expands cardiac care programs.

The legislation also focuses on technological innovation and industry partnerships. It improves partnership intermediary agreements to facilitate the transfer of technologies from academia or industry to DoD labs. It authorizes contributions to NATO's Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and establishes the Office of Strategic Capital and a pilot program to provide loans for emerging technologies. It also creates a technology transition pilot in the Air Force and the Principal Transition Advisor position in each military service to facilitate the transition of technologies from industry and academia to capabilities for the warfighter.

Regarding foreign policy and national security, the NDAA directs the Secretary of Defense to report on potential enhancements to U.S. and Allied air and missile defense capabilities contributing to NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). It removes outdated policy limitations on missile defenses against threats from near-peer adversaries like China. The legislation also prohibits reducing the number of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles below 400 and requires regular joint exercises with Israel to practice coalition strike missions.

The authorization for the new facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a significant development for Southwest Ohio's involvement in national security efforts. With the broad range of initiatives included in the FY 2024 NDAA, the legislation aims to strengthen the capabilities of the armed services, support military families, promote healthcare improvements, and foster technological innovation and industry partnerships.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://turner.house.gov/2023/12/turner-secures-authorization-for-nearly-20-million-new-facility-at-wright-patterson-air-force-base