WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated, In a very difficult environment for military facilities in the Northeast Rhode Island has done well. I have worked very hard with the military commanders, state, local communities and other members of the Congressional delegation since the last BRAC process ended to ensure that Rhode Islands military facilities were well prepared for this BRAC review process. I believe todays base closing announcement is an acknowledgement of the significant federal infrastructure, personnel and research and development investment in Rhode Islands military facilities.Following is background on how Rhode Island has invested in its military infrastructure.Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)?NUWCs facilities are unique and state-of-the-art, and would be extremely difficult and costly to replicate elsewhere.?NUWCs focus on the Navy after Next makes them an integral part of the military=s transformation effort.?The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) realignment and the contracting changes of Seaport Enhanced has improved NUWC ability to focus on their mission and to work efficiently.?While DOD is interested in reducing excess laboratory infrastructure, NUWC is the only lab to focus on undersea warfare. Naval Station Newport?Significantly lowered the Navys operational costs, saving the Navy potentially $1.4 million per year in electricity costs, $600,000 annually in trash removal costs, and $1 million per year in water rate structures. ?Constructed a new building for the Surface Warfare Officers= School opened last year. ?Constructed a new Child Development Center to be opened in October.?Constructed a new security building and completed security upgrades to several base gates.?Began construction for new housing for the Navy Prep School that will be completed in the spring of 2006.?Work is about to begin on a new Fuel Storage Facility.?This year Senator Reed and other members of the delegation are working to acquire funding to upgrade the bridge on the base and replace the training pool.CJ130?The Rhode Island Air National Guard was the first Guard unit to receive the stretch C130J30.?Senator Reed secured a commitment for the delivery of new C130J cargo planes to the Rhode Island National Guard to replace the Guard's aging C130E cargo airplanes, built in 1963.?Senator Reed ensured that funding was included in the Defense Appropriations bill.?Senator Reed secured $18.5 million for construction of a new maintenance hanger for the new planes at Quonset Point. The old maintenance hanger, built in 1941 was not large enough to accommodate the new planes. The new hangar was dedicated last year.?Senator Reed secured $9.8 for a maintenance building.?Each plane costs approximately $64 million.?The first three of eight C130Js were delivered to the Guard in 2001 and are currently being used in operations in Iraq.?A 4th C130Js was delivered in 2004.