$1 Billion Reasons Why The Capital Region Military Bases Matter

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I, REF-Glenville), Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and their legislative colleagues today joined with the Capital Region Chamber’s Unified Military Affairs Council (UMAC) to bring attention to theover $1 billion economic impact made by the region’s military installations.  Tedisco, Santabarbara and their colleagues were joined by representatives from the Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia; the U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal; Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa; the Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs and other military units in the Capital Region.

UMAC is a program of the Capital Region Chamber in partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber and the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County to highlight the importance of the military presence in the Capital Region and ensure its long-term viability and success. Senator Tedisco and Assemblyman Santabarbara, the legislative sponsors of UMAC Day at the New York State Capitol, also are calling attention to the global, national, statewide and regional impact the Capital Region’s military units have in protecting our safety and security.

“These military installations do more than protect our state and nation and way of life, they are an important and positive part of our community contributing more than $1 billion a year to the Capital Region’s economy and supporting thousands of jobs in the 49^th Senate District and across the Capital Region,” said Senator Jim Tedisco. “I’m proud to be the state Senate Sponsor of the Unified Military Affairs Council Capital Region Military Day in Albany and help welcome to the Capitol and shine the state legislature’s spotlight on the everyday American heroes who work in these military installations – the best, the brightest, the bravest, the most compassionate fighting force for good on Earth, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.”

“The dedicated members of our nation’s armed forces who call the Capital Region home are pillars of our communities and provide a great example to all of us,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam). “Having served in the U.S. Army Reserve, as a past Commander of AMVETS Post 35, and now on the State Assembly’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, it’s a tremendous honor to host Capital Region Military Day at the State Capitol to highlight how important the many local military installations are to not only protecting us, but also supporting our local economies, our culture and our way of life.” 

“The Capital Region is the proud home to several military installations and units. Through the Unified Military Affairs Council, the Capital Region Chamber supports our military and highlights their importance to our economy, communities and quality of life. I would like to thank Senator Tedisco, Assemblyman Santabarbara and the entire Capital Region Legislative Delegation for hosting UMAC and our region’s military at the Capitol today,” said Mark Eagan, CEO, Capital Region Chamber.

“The men and women serving in America’s armed forces are true heroes who defend freedom, make our world a safer, better place, and are owed a debt that can never be repaid. Here in the Capital Region, we see a tremendous, positive local economic impact of more than $1 billion annually from the military installations throughout our area. The UMAC plays an important role in supporting the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa, the Watervliet Arsenal, as well as other military units across our region. I am proud to support UMAC Day here at the State Capitol as we welcome, recognize and thank our brave service men and women,” said New York State Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon).

“The Capital Region’s military installations not only ensure the safety and security of our residents, they also contribute greatly to our local economy and take an active role in improving the quality of life in our communities. I’m honored to take part in this important day at the Capitol to highlight the importance of these facilities and their contributions to our region, the state, and the nation,” said Senator George Amedore (R,C,I,REF-Rotterdam).

“United Military Affairs Council Day is a great opportunity to thank our military personnel and to recognize not only their selflessness and sacrifices they make on behalf of all of us, but also to highlight the positive economic impact they have on the Capital Region and statewide. The importance of the military presence in our region cannot be overstated which is why it is so important to increase the public’s awareness of the contributions they make,” said Senator Neil Breslin (D-Albany).

“I am happy to join my Capital Region colleagues in welcoming members of the Unified Military Affairs Council (UMAC) to Albany,” said Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,I,C,REF-Ballston). “Throughout my first year in office, UMAC has taught me so much about the nationally recognized military work that is done right in the 112^th Assembly District and surrounding communities. Whether it was flying in a C-130 out of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing in Glenville or visiting with CDR Judd Krier at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, it has been a privilege to see the vital impact these military units have on our regional community and economy.”

Background Information on the Capital Region’s Military Installations:

Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa

The mission of the Nuclear Power Train Unit (NPTU) Ballston Spa is to qualify Naval officers and enlisted personnel in the operation, maintenance and supervision of naval nuclear propulsion plants in support of Fleet operations. The training and certification takes approximately six months of practical instruction under the close supervision of qualified staff. Currently, NPTU Ballston Spa trains and certifies approximately half of the personnel (officer and enlisted) needed to operate the U.S. Navy’s reactor plants on nuclear-powered warships (i.e., all commissioned submarines and aircraft carriers).  The other half are trained at a similar facility in Charleston, South Carolina.

Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs

Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs is a fully operational, active operation under a Commanding Officer and under the command regional area coordination of the Commander Navy Region Mid Atlantic. Located in Milton, its primary mission is to provide operational support to the NPTU Ballston Spa, (one of only two in the U.S.) and to perform host command functions. Secondary missions include providing personal property, housing, fleet and family support, administrative, morale, welfare, and recreation services to active duty Naval personnel and their dependents in the New York State Capital Area, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Watervliet Arsenal

The U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, widely known as “America’s Cannon Factory,” is an Army-owned and operated manufacturing facility. It is the nation’s oldest, continuously-operated arsenal having begun its manufacturing of military hardware during the War of 1812. This Army-owned and operated manufacturing center celebrated its 200^th anniversary on July 14, 2013, and is a component of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. For 200 years, the Arsenal has produced critical weapons, part, and materials that have helped hundreds of thousands of our nation’s warfighters to come home safely. Today, more than 560 employees provide manufacturing, engineering, procurement, and quality assurance for cannon, mortars, and associated material throughout the acquisition life cycle. The Watervliet Arsenal is the only place in the Department of Defense where those who do weapons research and design reside with the manufacturing base. The Army’s Benet Laboratories resides on the Arsenal and is known worldwide for its gun design, structural and dynamic analysis, and for its application of advanced materials and composites.  This unique synergy, where engineers who design a product are just a five-minute walk from those who will machine their designs, allows the Arsenal to rapidly adjust to new or urgent requirements.  Today’s Arsenal is relied upon by the U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer and mortar systems.

Stratton Air National Guard Base/109^th Airlift Wing

The Stratton Air National Guard Base is home to the 109^th Airlift Wing, part of the New York Air National Guard. The unit flies the world’s only ski-equipped LC-130s or “skibirds,” as well as traditional C-130 “wheelbirds.” The 109^th has the responsibility of flying missions for the National Science Foundation-led United States Antarctic Program. During the spring and summer, the unit flies training missions out of Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland and from there flies to the Arctic Ice Cap transporting materials and scientific researchers to remote locations where they conduct research. During the fall and winter, the 109^th flies similar missions out to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

More information on UMAC can be found at www.capitalregionchamber.com/military-affairs.