Senators include $1.1 million for local base

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich announced Thursday that more than $1 million in funding for communications upgrades to buildings and equipment that is more than 25 years old at the Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base passed an initial phase of approval, according to a news release.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1.1 million in funding included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2009 to construct a combat communications training complex at the base, according to a release sent Thursday, July 31.

"Ohio's Air National Guard and combat troops need a 21st century communications system," said Brown, D-Ohio. "Our guardsmen and women deserve the best equipment available to continue to do their jobs well and protect our country. A modernized communications facility is necessary to maintain critical messaging between combat operations and the Springfield-Beckley Air Base."

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