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Press Release

Castor highlights troops and MacDill in defense bill

“The Tampa Bay community is committed to men and women in uniform and their families,” Castor said. “The NDAA passed today not only supports our troops, but continues our commitment to the missions and personnel at MacDill.”

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) today announced provisions in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provide a pay increase for our service members and direction for the critical missions at MacDill Air Force Base.

“The Tampa Bay community is committed to men and women in uniform and their families,” Castor said.  “The NDAA passed today not only supports our troops, but continues our commitment to the missions and personnel at MacDill.”

The NDAA passed the House by a vote of 325-98 and includes a much deserved pay increase for military personnel.   It also includes sexual assault provisions that were included in the previous three defense policy laws.

“Our response to sexual assault in the military can and should be much stronger,” Castor said.  “I hope that in the U.S. Senate, my colleagues will listen to the voices of people like Sen. Gillibrand to strengthen the sexual assault provisions.”

In a move that recognizes the importance of Special Operations now and in the future, the bill authorizes approximately $7.6 billion for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), headquartered at MacDill.  It also extends critical counter-terrorism authorities necessary for Special Operations Forces to combat terrorism.

“SOCOM has grown in importance as the threats to our national security have evolved and critical missions involving al-Qaida and other terrorist networks have become paramount to our defense strategy,” Castor said.  “As America's Special Forces role continues to grow, so too will MacDill’s strategic importance.”

The bill authorizes the next phase in replacement of KC-135 tankers with new KC-46 aerial refueling tankers. Castor is committed to the MacDill Means Mobility effort and is working with other members of the Tampa Bay Congressional Delegation, as well as local elected and business leaders, to champion MacDill as an ideal base for future new tankers and the relocation of older KC-135s.  In March, Castor announced the U.S. Department of Defense’s proposed 2015 budget included plans to add eight refueling tanker aircraft, attendant jobs and infrastructure to MacDill Air Force Base.  These aircraft will be relocated from bases which are receiving the new KC-46 tankers.

Castor also successfully added an amendment to the bill which requires a report to Congress on the prevalence of black mold in buildings located on military installations like the Military Support Facility at MacDill.  Buildings identified as containing black mold will be added to the construction priority list for building replacement or renovations. The bipartisan amendment was cosponsored by Rep. Richard Nugent(R-FL).

“I am concerned that black mold on the first floor of the Mission Support Facility located at MacDill is not being addressed in a timely fashion.  My amendment requires DOD to review and address facilities with black mold to protect the health of military personnel on base and save in repair costs,” Castor said.  “I am pleased that my amendment was accepted so we can begin to tackle this issue and raise awareness on the potential for an improved Mission Support facility that serves base personnel, military retirees and local business contractors.”