Source: United States Senator for Missouri Roy Blunt
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced key Missouri priorities that were included in the FY2022 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill. The bill was approved by the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 25-5.
“Missouri is home to more than 400,000 veterans,” said Blunt. “One of our most important jobs in Congress is to ensure they have access to the care and benefits they’ve earned. The groundbreaking for the new General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital was an exciting milestone, and I will continue working to make sure the resources are in place to complete its construction. I’m also incredibly proud of the critical role Missouri’s military installations and facilities fulfill in support of our national defense and appreciate the committee’s support for the AVCRAD repair center in my hometown of Springfield and the Advanced Individual Training Battalion Complex at Fort Leonard Wood. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure these priorities are included in the final FY2022 funding bill.”
Following Are Key Blunt-Backed Missouri Priorities Included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Funding Legislation:
• Fort Leonard Wood:
o $160 million in additional funding for further construction of a new hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, which will replace the current General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. In June 2020, Blunt celebrated the groundbreaking for the new hospital.
o $4 million in planning and design funding for the Advanced Individual Training Battalion Complex. Fort Leonard Wood has a roughly 1,000 bed space deficit for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) personnel. The planning and design of this project will result in the construction of barracks that will complete the AIT Battalion Complex.
• Missouri AVCRAD: $3.8 million in planning and design funding for an aircraft maintenance hangar addition for the Missouri Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD). Construction of this project would provide for a safe working environment and adequate workspace that will allow for aircraft to be overhauled and maintained in a more orderly, methodical, and efficient fashion.