Obama’s defense budget has $410M for isle construction

The president’s 2014 defense budget request includes at least $410 million for military construction projects in Hawaii — $44 million more than in fiscal 2013, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono’s office said.

The list includes $75 million for ongoing construction of a Fort Shafter command and control facility, and nearly $237 million at the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe Bay for improvements including a 3rd Radio Battalion maintenance and operations complex, hangar upgrades and an MV-22 Osprey aircraft hangar, parking apron and infrastructure.

Two squadrons of the tilt-rotor Ospreys, a total of 24 aircraft, are scheduled to arrive in Hawaii in fiscal 2015 and 2016, the Marine Corps said.

Pearl Harbor, meanwhile, would get nearly $58 million for a dry-dock waterfront facility and submarine support facility.

Hirono’s office said military construction in Hawaii totaled $284 million in fiscal 2012 and $366 million in 2013.

"The increased funding that the president requested for construction on Hawaii’s military installations is good news for our state, especially considering the fiscal realities our country faces," said Hirono, D-Hawaii, a member of the Armed Services Committee.

"It is a sign that Hawaii is in a key position to play a major role in the military’s rebalance to the Pacific," Hirono added in a release. "The Asia-Pacific region is vitally important to our nation’s strategic interests, and I’m glad to see the president’s budget reflects that national security imperative."

A Defense Department report in support of President Barack Obama’s $526.6 billion defense budget request — both released Wednesday — said investments also are being made at Pacific bases in Guam and Pearl Harbor to enhance capacity for submarine and carrier strike group operations in support of the re-balance to Asia and the Pacific.

The Pentagon said it is including $78 million in fiscal 2014 for the basing of a fourth fast-attack submarine in Guam, and will add $300 million in future years to dredge Pearl Harbor to ease aircraft carrier access.

The Navy at this point is not discussing the proposed dredging.

"It would be premature to comment on any specifics in a proposed presidential budget," Navy Region Hawaii said in an email. "We understand, in general, the president’s budget will continue to pursue strategic priorities that reflect our nation’s renewed commitment to the Navy’s historical role in the Asia-Pacific region."

The Pentagon also is requesting a new round of base realignments and closures in 2015.