"Co-locating the Maine Army Guard, the Maine Air Guard and the United States Marine Corps Reserve in a single facility makes economic sense," Senators Snowe and Collins and Representatives Allen and Michaud said in their February 15th letter. "The efficiencies gained through joint construction and sustainment will save taxpayer funds. The project will also promote cross-service training and collaboration, promoting the Defense Department's effort to expand joint roles and missions." The Members stressed the investment of nearly $100 million over the past decade to achieve significant modernization at NASB. They also noted that NASB is the last fully capable active duty operational military airfield in the Northeast and that its strategic location alongside the commercially vital Atlantic sea lanes makes its maritime patrol and interdiction capabilities indispensable to homeland defense.
"Given the ever-increasing integration of active and reserve components, NASB is an excellent location for the Center," the delegation members wrote. "We understand that planning and coordination for the Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center are already underway at the State level, and that NASB is a committed partner in this project. The Navy supports the Center and the Department of Defense, as part of its joint facilities initiative, has already allocated future funding for the Center. The Maine Congressional Delegation stands ready to seek federal funding for the Center at the earliest available opportunity."
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