AUSN Legislative Effort Impacts FY 2011 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D) finalized their mark on the FY 2011 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. With the SAC-D mark, Congress has funded key Navy equipment, personnel, and benefits programs supported by the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN).

"AUSN is extremely gratified to see the F/A-18Gs, the F/A-18 E/Fs, the P-8s and the C-40 aircraft in the markup," said AUSN Executive Director RADM Casey Coane, USN (Ret). "AUSN has worked tirelessly in support of many programs but in particular these aircraft, which are vital to the Navy moving forward."

Some of the key programs supported and advocated for by AUSN contained in the bill include:

• Funding for an active duty end strength of 1,432,400 and a reserve component end strength of 846,200
• Funding for the requested quantity of 12 E/A-18 G Growlers and 22 F/A-18E/F Hornets
• Funding for one C-40 aircraft for the Navy Reserve
• Fully funding the budget request for the Carrier Replacement Program, Virginia Class Submarine Program, DDG-51 Program, DDG 1000 Program and LHA (R) Program
• Fully funding research and development for the P8-A Poseidon, Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAV
• Defense Health Programs; $1.4 billion; and provides $595 million above the President’s budget request
• Fully funding key readiness programs critical to prepare forces for combat operations and other peace time missions: OPTEMPO flying hours and steaming days, depot maintenance, training, spare parts, and base operations
• Providing pay and allowances for mobilized Reservists and Guardsmen and special pay and allowances for deployed active duty personnel
• Fully funding key readiness programs critical to prepare forces for combat operations and other missions: OPTEMPO flying hours and steaming days, depot maintenance, training, spare parts, and base operations
• Adding $210 million to address Navy shortfalls in aviation spares
• Providing $162 million above the request for tuition assistance for military spouses

AUSN has testified and submitted testimony in support of these programs on behalf of the Navy and Navy Reserve a number of times during 111th Congress and years past. The Association has worked relentlessly with Congress on behalf of Navy and Navy Reserve equipment, personnel, and earned benefits. Navy and Navy Reserve equipment is very important to our Navy Maritime Strategy and National Defense.

The Association advocates that the full committee will approve the subcommittee mark and the 111th Congress will pass the FY-2011 Defense Appropriations Bill in a timely manner.

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Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) is a non-profit, professional military association representing nearly 20,000 members. AUSN represents active duty, reserve and retired Navy members and their families.

Since 1957, AUSN has been the leading voice for America’s Sailors and the premier advocate for a strong Navy, AUSN represents Navy people on Capitol Hill. The Association also provides career and professional development guidance, information on benefits and pay, college scholarships for dependents, publishes a monthly magazine, and maintains a website.