Jefferson Shreve: “my amendment provides $55 million to build a new aviation maintenance hangar and operations building and renovate the…”

“my amendment provides $55 million to build a new aviation maintenance hangar and operations building and renovate the existing hangar space at our Shelbyville, Indiana, Army Aviation Support Facility. Mr. Chair, 900 Indiana guardsmen assigned to the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade have supported 16 deployments since 2001, including to Iraq, Kuwait, and Bosnia. Our Shelbyville facility remains a crown jewel of Indiana and Midwest Army aviation. This proud combat aviation unit has one of the oldest Army aviation flight facilities in the National Guard. Built in 1972, it currently supports 11 aircraft and more than 50 full-time personnel. Upgrading the facility will save over 500 man-hours and prevent more than $200,000 in annual damage to blades and equipment. A new facility supports rapid homeland response and will sustain recruitment and retention of Indiana's finest soldiers. This amendment serves to equip our next generation of guardsmen to protect our homeland both at home and abroad. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”