Great Lakes Wire

BATTLE CREEK, MI – Senator Gary Peters (MI) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new main gate and entrance facility at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. Peters secured $10 million for the military construction project in the 2022 national defense law through his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The new entrance will be relocated to a roadway containing less traffic on the base’s west side to help enhance base security and enable a more efficient flow of vehicles in and out of the base. The project also includes a new guard house and covered vehicle inspection area.

“Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is critical to our national defense and Michigan’s military footprint,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. “That’s why I fought for and secured $10 million in federal funding to construct a new main gate and entrance facility that will improve both security and day-to-day operations for those serving on the base.”

“Moving the base entrance from Dickman Road to Skyline Drive makes sense from the standpoint of safety and security,” said Col. Daniel Kramer II, 110th Wing commander, Battle Creek ANG Base. “This project has been in the works for many years with incredible support from local government. We also appreciate the tireless efforts of Michigan's congressional delegation on both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to secure the funding.”

“As a community we have a long history of supporting our military. This appropriation helps continue good relationships as well as an excellent investment for the future, not just for our military infrastructure, but also our community,” said Mayor Mark Behnke, City of Battle Creek.

“This investment in Battle Creek will not only strengthen our historical military presence, which is vital to our local economy, but will also position the defense community for growth in Battle Creek,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited. “We thank Senator Peters for his efforts to secure the federal funding needed for this critical project.”

The base, which marked its 75th anniversary in the Battle Creek community last year, is the home station for nearly 1,000 Airmen and supports a diverse portfolio of missions including a Cyber Defense squadron, MQ-9 Reaper drone flying operation, and a Command & Control function for U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa. This project will not only make needed upgrades to critical infrastructure, but also help to bolster the base’s future and economic growth in the local community.

As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, supporting Michigan’s military facilities has been among Peters’ top priorities in the Senate. Peters additionally secured $49 million in funding to go toward constructing a new, state-of-the-art training facility at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base for Marine Corps reservists as well as a new vehicle maintenance facility, which will help extend the life of the vehicles they house. This funding will help ensure a Marine Corps presence at the Battle Creek unit for decades to come. In the most recent national defense bill signed into law, Peters included an authorization of $24 million for new supply and storage facilities for the Marine Corps Reserve Unit in Battle Creek – and is pushing to secure the funding needed for this project.

To download high-resolution photos from the event, click here

Original source can be found here