Anniston Star
October 12, 2002

Defense bill that includes funding for depot work passes conference committee

By Nathan Solheim
Star Staff Writer

An appropriations bill that provides significant funding for four local defense projects passed conference committee Friday.

The conference bill requires final passage in both the House and Senate as well as President
Bush's signature before it becomes law. It contains funding for three projects at the Anniston Army Depot and several local defense contractors.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, announced the appropriations shortly after the vote on Capitol Hill.

"I am very pleased the committee approved funding for these important Anniston defense-related," Shelby said in a news release. "They are critical to the stability of our nation's military infrastructure and readiness."

Few obstacles stand in the way of the appropriations, which are contained in the fiscal year 2003 Department of Defense budget.

Conference committee members approved $788 million for the Stryker program, a key facet of the depot's production and maintenance effort for the next few years.

Some $1 billion of work related to the Stryker program will be performed at the depot in conjunction with General Dynamics.

The M1 Abrams tank, another General Dynamics program at the depot, received a $376 million appropriation for vehicle upgrades. The program also received $179 million for additional modifications.

The M113 Carrier program received $39.4 million so its maker, United Defense, can upgrade the vehicle and produce more tracks. The work is performed at the depot.

The Hydra-70 program - rockets designed for helicopters - received a $52.4 million appropriation. They are made by local defense contractor Primex, a General Dynamics company in Anniston.

It's a tribute to the work force and efficiency of our defense contracts," said Sherri Sumners, president of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. "It's good news for Anniston Army Depot, because the stronger these public-private partnerships, the better position we'll be in for (the next round of) BRAC or EFI (base closures and realignments). It's good news, and we'll take it."

Anniston Mayor Chip Howell said the appropriation will play an important role in the depot's future.

"BRAC 2005 will be all about efficiencies, and we need to focus on that," Howell said. "The efficiency of the depot is critical to the 2005 list. It will be approached differently, so the more missions there are and the more dollars allocated certainly enhance its effectiveness. And, hopefully, its ability to stay off that 2005 list."