Defense money bolsters NAS' mission

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Oct. 2, 2003
A regional counter drug training academy at Naval Air Station Meridian will receive $4.2 million under the 2004 defense appropriation bill, officials said Wednesday.
The money will help expand NAS' mission and could enhance the base's value as a 2005 round of base closures approaches.
In total, the fiscal year 2004 appropriations measure signed by President Bush will also provide funds for the F/A-22 Raptor jet fighter and the C-130J aircraft. Parts of both are produced by Lockheed Martin in Meridian.
Lamar McDonald, chairman of the Navy Meridian Team, said the money for the regional counterdrug training facility at NAS is good news for the base, which is the largest single employer in Lauderdale County.
McDonald added that NAS Meridian also received $1 million from the Justice Department for anti-terrorism training.
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., made the announcement Wednesday saying, "I am very pleased that this year's defense bill contains funding for a variety of vital defense initiatives being carried out in our state. The bill will benefit a broad cross section of our industry, universities and military bases."
Since the counterdrug academy opened in 1992, more than 25,000 law enforcement officers and military personnel have received training, including Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie.
Sollie said he believes the academy is an important asset to law enforcement and military personnel in this area.
The academy, under the direction of the Mississippi National Guard and funded by annual federal appropriations, draws officers to training classes that last one to two weeks. Tuition, lodging and food is free to law officers participating in the training.
Approporiations Bill
The 2004 defense appropriation bill also includes: